The Antipodean Manifesto

In February 1959 seven artists formed the Antipodean group and held a single exhibition Antipodeans at the Victorian Artists’ Society from 4 to 15th August 1959. The Antipodean Manifesto essay was written by art historian Bernard Smith and was printed in the exhibition’s catalogue of works, signed by Smith and each of the exhibiting artists.

The Antipodean Manifesto features a selection of paintings, drawings, prints and ceramics by the seven artists who formed the Antipodean group in Melbourne in 1959. Charles Blackman, Arthur Boyd, David Boyd, John Brack, Robert Dickerson, John Perceval, and Clifton Pugh held a single exhibition at the Victorian Artists Society in August 1959.