Charles Blackman, born 12 August 1928, is one of the best-known Australian artists, especially for the famous "Schoolgirl" and "Alice in Wonderland" series of the 1950s. His work is associated with dreamlike images tinged with mystery and foreboding. He was a member of the Antipodeans*, a group of Melbourne painters that also included Arthur Boyd, David Boyd, John Brack, Robert Dickerson, John Perceval and Clifton Pugh.

Blackman left school at age 13 and worked as an illustrator with the Sydney Sun newspaper while attending night classes at East Sydney Technical College (1943-46). He was later awarded an honorary doctorate. He came to notice following his move to Melbourne in the mid-1940s, where he became friends with Joy Hes...