Charles Blackman is one of Australia's most beloved and revered artists. His subject matter, drawn from literature, music, theatre, overseas travel, and lived experience, reveals an enquiring mind and erudite imagination. Many of his works, especially those from the Schoolgirls and Alice series, are considered to be among the most iconic images of Australian art. Blackman’s enduring legacy and importance to the Australian cultural landscape is reflected in the representative holding of his works in all national and state galleries, and significant regional and tertiary collections.

The Arrival is highly regarded by the connoisseurs of Charles Blackman’s works. The distant lighthouse, the ferry, and the jetty reference the Taronga Zoo Wharf, near Ashton Park, in Bradley’s Head, where Charles’s mother and step-father were caretakers. Figures in the ferry windows and on the jetty relate directly to some of the artist’s most beloved and celebrated images - including Alice in the lower centre of the composition. In other words, The Arrival is Charles’s autobiography is a single image.

We are grateful to Auguste Blackman for his assistance with cataloguing this work.


Charles BLACKMAN (1928 - 2018)
'The Arrival (Blue)' 1982
Etching on paper
Image Size: 37 x 44 cm
Dimensions: 76 x 56 cm
Signed: Signed, dated, titled and numbered in pencil in margin below image
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Condition: Very Good to Good: Describes the average used work of art, where the image is in good condition. Some foxing in the margin. Collector may choose to conceal with a window mount or have the work conserved.

© Charles Blackman / Copyright Agency 2022