Nude and Flowers 1967

Charles Blackman created “Nude and Flowers,” at an unknown date, with oils on canvas. Blackman often depicted subjects in dreamlike states which resonated with the alienation felt during the post-war era. The faceless nude figure rendered in shades of red and umber, sits in quiet repose with her arms wrapped around her legs; she seems vulnerable but also self-contained. The flowers, with their pointed petals, add a decorative element, softening the raw, unidealized depiction of the nude, and drawing our attention to the relationship between nature and the feminine form. Blackman explores a version of womanhood which diverges from conventional representation; rather he favors psychological depth. His works prompt us to consider the complexities of identity and the relationship between our internal lives and the external world. They remind us to consider the myriad narratives that shape our understanding of self and other.