Parade 1961

Charles Blackman made this painting called 'Parade' with what looks like oil on canvas, and the first thing I notice is how the colours create a sort of stage-like space. It’s all greens and blacks, and then suddenly these figures burst out with reds and yellows. The paint is applied pretty thickly, and you can see how Blackman uses these heavy strokes to build up the characters. There's a wonderful tension between the dark, almost oppressive background, and the vivid figures. Look at the orange shape on the left, it’s so solid, almost like a building block, but then it’s balanced by the softer blues and the more fluid black lines around it. It’s like he's building a world, not just painting a picture. Blackman’s work reminds me a little bit of Paula Modersohn-Becker, that raw, honest approach to painting. Ultimately, this piece feels like an invitation to step into a world where things aren't quite as they seem. It’s less about seeing, and more about feeling, you know?