Dreaming Girl 

Charles Blackman painted 'Dreaming Girl', on an unknown date, using an expressive style and a rich colour palette. This image invites us to reflect on the social conditions that shape the inner lives of young women in mid-20th century Australia. Blackman was associated with the Antipodeans Group in Melbourne which protested against abstract expressionism, championing a return to figurative art, with themes concerning the human condition. The dreaming girl becomes an allegory for the constraints placed on women's aspirations. Her closed eyes could suggest escapism or a turning inward. Her bright red top represents both a vibrant spirit and the social impositions that were forced upon women at the time. The interpretation of art requires rigorous research, drawing on sources such as artists' letters and institutional records. This provides insights into the artwork’s social context and its continuing relevance to conversations around gender and identity.