Charles Blackman, a major painter in Australian art of the post-war years is one of the most important and the best loved Australian artists.  He is one of only a handful Australian artists whose work attracted international recognition.  Blackman is one of two living Australian artist whose painting have sold over one million dollars. His Alice's Journey, one of dozens of paintings from Blackman's 1950s series inspired by Lewis Carroll's story Alice in Wonderland, was snapped up in frenetic bidding at Sotheby's for $1.02 million, a record for a living Australian artist | The Age Melbourne | 21 Oct. 2006

Blackman attracted international recognition since 1961 after he won the Helena Rubenstein Art Award in London. Blackman was living in London from 1961-66. Even though Blackman has shown the sustaining power to originate a wide supply of superb images over a period of five decades but many of his early paintings were destroyed during the Melbourne fire except for some which live to tell the tale.

Blackman has exhibited frequently since and is known for his facility in drawing. In 1951 Blackman married a poet, Barbara Patterson, who was to become a lasting presence in his work. Blackman was a co-founder of the Melbourne Contemporary Art Society in 1953 and was one of seven Antipodeans responsible for the Antipodean Manifesto.

Antipodean Manifesto was a reaction against what they saw as the meteoric rise of abstract expressionism and non-figurative art in Australia and its intolerance of figurative painting. Blackman has won many awards throughout his career, including the Rowney prize for drawing in 1959, the Helena Rubenstein Scholarship in 1960, the Dyeson Endowment Award and the Crouch Prize. Blackman's work was included in the Whitechapel Open Exhibition in 1961 and Tate Gallery exhibitions of Australian Art 1962-63. A major retrospective, 'Schoolgirls and Angels' was organised in 1993 by the National Gallery of Victoria and was touring to Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

Charles Blackman haunting and enchanting images of women and girls, have an enduring appeal. Two significant themes in his work have been the Schoolgirl and Alice in Wonderland and the accentuation of his figure's eyes occur throughout Blackman's works with a pervasive sense of melancholy Alice paintings  

In 1997 Blackman was awarded an OBE for his services to art. His work is held in all Australian state and most regional galleries, institutional and private collections. Blackman famous Alice paintings came about after listening to the classic Lewis Carroll book in taped form with his sight-impaired writer wife, Barbara. Being the inner and romantic painter Blackman is able to translate the inner world of childhood magic - the fairy tale, taking us to the world of fantasy and joy. His Alice paintings have universal appeal with her fantasy, romantic spirit, beauty and mystery.

Charles Blackman is one of those artists whose work remains compelling for a large audience like Nolan’s Ned Kelly, a fractured Picasso woman or a Salvatore Dali melting watch, Blackman’s Alice's and tea party, schoolgirls and lovers have become fixtures in the modern imagination. Blackman's fascination, discovery and understanding of the female charm and affection make up an important part of his creativity. Blackman uses mystery and magic to translate the world of emotions, a feeling of secret atmosphere, love, warmth and affection.

Awards:

• 1997 OBE

• 1963 Georges Invitation Art Prize, Georges Gallery Melbourne (one painting and one drawing)

• 1960 Helena Rubinstein Scholarship, Melbourne

• 1960 George Crouch Prize, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery

• 1960 Wins prize. A. Shore, The Age (February)

• 1958 George Crouch Prize, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery

• 1958 Rowney prize, Richmond Gallery Melbourne.