BLACKMAN, CHARLES (1928-2018)

"Orpheus. The Song of Forever" (1983)
Spit Junction, The Craftsman's Press
Large quarto, 128 pages with 32 tipped-in colour plates by Charles Blackman.
Decorated cloth (designed by the artist); a fine copy with the fine slipcase (decorated in blind with the same design).
including lithograph (33 × 26 cm)
*private collection, Sydney
 
Charles Blackman OBE was a famous Australian artist. He studied at East Sydney Technical College. He came to notice following his move to Melbourne in the mid-1940s, where he became friends with Joy Hester, John Perceval and Laurence Hope as well as gaining the support of critic and art patron John Reed. 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. His work met critical acclaim through his early Schoolgirl and Alice series, the latter Blackman's conception of Lewis Carroll's most famous character. These series are amongst the most valuable and highly sought after artworks in Australia, some selling for seven figures. His works are commonplace in most National Galleries. This beautiful, rare, limited edition screenprint is a classic example of Blackman during his prime.