Charles Blackman’s ‘Mythological Fish’ is a wonderfully unusual work. It is long and narrow, an indigo sarcophagus for its subject. Blackman playfully deconstructs a mermaid, picturing her as half woman, half fish food.

Throughout his oeuvre, Blackman recurrently turned to the theme of transformation. Butterflies are ever-present, as is Alice in her coming of age tumble through Wonderland. In ‘Mythological Fish’, transformation remains a theme. In her dance with the fish, the figure is being fused into a sea creature. This is a twist on Jonah and the Whale.

One of Australia’s most beloved and collectable artists, Blackman is an icon of Australian art. ‘Mythological Fish’ is a special find — at once recognisably by the artist and different. It will delight collectors of modern art.

Charles BLACKMAN (1928 - 2018)
'Mythological Fish'
etching on paper
Edition of 50
Image Size: 8 x 42 cm
Dimensions: 38 x 56 cm
Signed: Signed Charles Blackman in margin.
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Hard ground etching printed on 100% cotton French paper 300 grams
 
Condition: Very Good: Describes a work of art's image as Excellent, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear to paper or frame. There are no tears to paper margin or disruption to the paint surface.
 
(c) Charles Blackman / Copyright Agency