Born on 30 May 1928, Kevin Charles Hart – professionally known as Pro Hart – was one of Australia’s finest controversial artists. As part of the Hart family, his legacy is still felt by art fans across Australia and beyond to this day.
Pro Hart Paintings: A Lifetime Of Love For Art
Pro Hart famously fell in love with art as a child, often illustrating his school work in preference of writing. This would signal the start of a five decade journey that would see his collections displayed across Australia, as well as the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Israel, Egypt, and Poland.
In Australia, his collections were displayed at world-famous venues like National Gallery of Australia and the Sydney Opera House, as well as many others across Canberra, NSW, South Australia, and Tasmania.
Following his first exhibition in 1962, Pro Hart’s long list of achievements include being awarded an MBE in 1976, a Citizen of the Year award in 1983, and an Honorary Life Governor award in 1995.
From the 1960s through to the early 2000s, Pro Hart Paintings dominated Australia’s art scene. With multiple galleries, exhibitions, and illustration series completed over that era, his impact on the industry places him at the very top table of 20th-century artists.
The Unique Pro Hart Style
Pro Hart paintings are instantly recognisable thanks to a unique style, underpinned by his exploration of new and expressive techniques. Primarily working with oils and acrylics, he heavily used layering, chiaroscuro, glazing, scumbling, scratching and Alla prima techniques to create truly awe-inspiring pieces.
Bright colours and strong brush strokes are seen across a gallery of landscapes and portraits. With a strong focus on Australia’s outback, including its incredible people, each artwork tells a story of life in Australia while highlighting the harsh yet beautiful backdrops through the use of symbolic styles and materials.
As a true innovator, his “cannon painting” and “balloon painting” techniques deliver the one-of-a-kind style that has never been replicated.
The Pro Hart Gallery
Pro Hart sadly passed in 2006 but the popularity of his paintings remains. Today, the Pro Hart Gallery contains a wide selection of Pro Hart Paintings for sale, including both originals and reproductions.
Whether it’s the landscapes of Brighton Beach, the Man with Dog series, or the Football Match, every piece captures life in the unique style synonymous with the Pro Hart legacy. As well as delivering a one-of-a-kind aesthetic, artwork carrying the Pro Hart name signals a fantastic investment too.
Continuing The Pro Hart Legacy
While Pro Hart is regarded as one of the finest artists in Australian history, the Hart legacy was started by his mother in the early 20th century. Today, the legacy lives on through David Hart.
In addition to his own originals and bespoke artwork, including the Pro Hart Dragonfly series that stemmed from a promise made to his father, David manages the Pro Hart Gallery and Pro Hart Paintings for sale while also offering valuation services to art collectors across Australia. The legacy lives on.
