Pro Hart
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Kevin Charles "Pro" Hart, MBE (May 30, 1928 – March 28, 2006), born in Broken Hill, New South Wales, was considered the father of the Australian Outback painting movement and his works are widely admired for capturing the true spirit of the outback. He was nicknamed "Professor" (hence "Pro") during his younger days, when he was known as an inventor.
Hart worked in the Broken Hill mines as a young man and, although he began painting at the age of seven, twenty-seven years were to elapse before his first exhibition at the Bonython Gallery, Adelaide, in 1962. He started painting full time in 1958.
An artist whose paintings figure in collections all over the world, Pro Hart always remained closely attached to his homeland and continued to live in Broken Hill, where he established his own art gallery to show his works and those of other well-known Australian artists. He was probably prouder of being five times winner of the Broken Hill Art Prize than of all the successful showings he has had overseas. The latter included in the 1970s and 1980s, exhibitions in England (three paintings were bought by HRH Prince Philip), United States (one was added to the White House collection), Israel, and Egypt.
His pictures are typically Australian outback landscapes, scenes of rural town life, topical commentary and some religious subjects. His illustrations for the collection of Henry Lawson's poems show keen powers of character observation combined with a humorous wit. Some who he quipped were the 'art mafia' , have called his style populist and derivative.
Fred Nile related that "Pro Hart often explained to me that he believed the Holy Spirit of Almighty God and Jesus Christ gave him the inspiration for his paintings. He said he could see the completed painting before he started. He then usually would paint all night until the painting was complete."[1]
His politics were a driving force behind much of his work, which often reflects his penchant for far right conspiracy theories and support for controversial organisations such as Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party.
He once named his recreations as Bible and organ music. He was the proud owner of a Rodgers electric pipe organ, which was said to be the largest of its kind in Australia. This was installed in his gallery, a step which considerably enhanced its value as a Broken Hill tourist attraction.
He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1976. He received an Australian Citizen of the Year award in 1983. He was known for his charitable work and generosity.
Pro Hart developed motor neurone disease in later life. He died in the early hours of 28 March, 2006. He had been unable to paint for the last six months of his life. A large state funeral was held for him on April 4, 2006 in Broken Hill, this was the first state funeral in New South Wales to be held west of the Blue Mountains.
He was laid to rest in the Broken Hill cemetery.
[edit] External links
- Artist Pro Hart dies Australian Broadcasting Corporation news item.
- Artist Pro Hart dies The Sydney Morning Herald
- Obituary for Kevin Charles "Pro" Hart MBE Obits.com.au - Australian Death Notices, Funeral Notices and Obituaries
