The exchange
1952
Medium
oil on plywood on composition board
Measurements
91.7 × 91.7 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of Dr Joseph Brown AO, OBE, Honorary Life Benefactor, 1997
© Charles Blackman/Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
Gallery location
Gallery 12
Level 2, NGV Australia
About this work
This work belongs to a series of paintings sparked by the 1952 unsolved murder of Betty Shanks, a university friend of the artist’s wife. One of the first and largest works in this series, The exchange explores the emotional and psychological tensions of innocence and danger, combining a playful scene of bright colours and bold outlines with an underlying sense of aggression and voyeurism. The seeming innocence of the schoolgirls’ embrace is tainted by their sharply pleated skirts and short, pointed ties, as well as the shadows cast over their furtive sideways glances.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Melbourne, Victoria
Inscription
inscribed in pencil l.r.:BLACKMAN / 52
inscribed (diagonally) in black fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.l.: 'THE EXCHANGE' / 1952
inscribed in black fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.c.l.: 87 [encased in square]
Accession Number
1997.323
Department
Australian Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Subjects (general)
Cityscapes Human Figures Relationships and Interactions
Subjects (specific)
girls linear forms outlines (linear form) play (recreation) school uniforms schoolyards silhouettes urban landscapes
Movements
Antipodeans
Physical description
The 'Exchange' shows the sharply delineated forms of two schoolgirls with raised arms. Their brown uniforms, consisting of long socks, pleated tunics, ties and hats, contrast to the predominantly pink and blue background of the schoolyard, where numerous diminutive schoolgirls are engaged in various activities.