The Australian Art Anthology | Series 01
CLASSROOM RESOURCE PACK
An Imprint in Time
Charles Blackman – The Poetic Image

This resource pack is designed to support teachers delivering Stage 5 (Years 9-10) and Stage 6 (Years 11-12) Visual Arts curriculum. All materials align with the NSW Syllabus and can be adapted for VCE and QCE contexts.

Year Level Key Concepts
Stage 5 (9-10) Narratives, Exaggerated Perspectives, Symbols & Storytelling, Visual Language, Dream-like Imagery
Stage 6 (11-12) The Subjective Frame, Surrealist Influences, Psychological Impact, The Antipodeans Group, Interiority & Isolation

Stage 5: Symbols & Storytelling

Viewing Question 1
Look at Blackman's 'Schoolgirl' series. How does he use shadows and large hats to hide the figures' identities? What feeling does this create? Describe the emotional impact of these visual choices.
Viewing Question 2
Identify a symbol from the 'Alice in Wonderland' series. How does Blackman change the scale of objects to make the world feel "dream-like"? Compare this to how you might feel in a dream where things are larger or smaller than normal.
Viewing Question 3
Analyze Blackman's use of exaggerated perspectives. How does he distort space and proportion to create a sense of wonder or unease? Use specific examples from the documentary.
Viewing Question 4
Research the stories behind Blackman's paintings. How does he use symbols to tell stories? Choose one painting and explain what story it tells through its visual symbols.
Studio Task: The Shadow of a Dream
  1. Select a Memory: Choose a personal memory that has strong emotional significance—it could be happy, sad, mysterious, or nostalgic.
  2. Sketch the Figure: Draw a single figure (could be yourself or someone else) in a simplified, stylized way. Think about Blackman's approach to form.
  3. Design the Shadow: Create an exaggerated, stylized shadow that reveals a hidden emotion or aspect of the memory. The shadow should be larger than the figure and tell part of the story.
  4. Add Symbols: Include at least two symbolic elements that relate to your memory. These could be objects, colors, or shapes that have personal meaning.
  5. Apply Color: Use color strategically to enhance the mood. Consider how Blackman uses color to create atmosphere.
  6. Reflect: Write 200 words explaining how your artwork uses symbols and shadows to communicate the emotional content of your memory.

Stage 6: The Subjective Frame & Interiority

Analysis Question 1
Evaluate how Blackman uses the Subjective Frame to communicate isolation and wonder. Focus on his use of averted gazes and negative space. How do these compositional choices invite viewers into the internal, psychological world of his subjects?
Context Question 2
Discuss Blackman's relationship with the Heide Circle. How did this historical context influence his move toward figurative expressionism? Analyze the connections between Blackman's work and the broader Australian modernist movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
Analysis Question 3
Examine Blackman's 'Schoolgirl' series through the lens of Surrealist influences. How does he combine realistic elements with dream-like distortions? Compare his approach to that of European Surrealists like Magritte or de Chirico.
Context Question 4
Research the Antipodeans group and their manifesto. How did Blackman's participation in this group shape his artistic practice? Discuss the tension between abstraction and figuration in mid-20th century Australian art.
Formal Essay Prompt
"Charles Blackman's paintings are not records of the external world, but maps of the internal psyche."

Discuss this statement with reference to the film 'An Imprint in Time' and at least two specific artworks by Blackman. In your response, you must:
  • Analyze how Blackman uses the Subjective Frame to explore psychological states
  • Examine his use of symbols, shadows, and distorted perspectives
  • Discuss the influence of Surrealism and the Antipodeans group
  • Consider the relationship between personal experience and artistic expression
  • Reference specific artworks such as the 'Schoolgirl' or 'Alice in Wonderland' series

Word Count: 800-1000 words