Born in Sydney in 1928, Blackman studied from 1943-46 while working as a press artist before moving to Melbourne where he married and supported himself as a cook. When John Reed became his patron and Blackman started exhibiting his work the critics began to take notice.

Shortly after Blackman began his series of works based on the Schoolgirl, with their menacing and threatening atmosphere. These works led to numerous scenes inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland story which includes some of his most popular works.

In 1960, Blackman won the Helena Rubinsten Scholarship which allowed him to travel and study overseas where he exhibited in London. He has received many awards and prizes, including an OBE in 1977 ‘for services to art’. In 1993 the first major retrospective of Blackman’s work, ‘Schoolgirls and Angels’, was held at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Charles Blackman is considered one of Australia’s most important artists and is celebrated for his images of flowers, children, cats, and numerous “Alice” scenes. His work is highly regarded both in Australia and internationally and is represented in the Australian National Gallery, Canberra; all Australian State and many regional galleries; and many major galleries, university and private collections both in Australia and overseas.