Pro Hart

Kevin Charles Pro Hart (* May 30 1928 in Broken Hill, New South Wales, † March 28, 2006 ) was an Australian painter.

Life

Hart was the father of the Australian Outback painting. His works have tried to capture the spirit of the outback. His nickname professor who was later shortened to pro, came from his youth when he was known as an inventor.

Hart, who began painting at age seven, as a young man in the mine of Broken Hill. With the professional painting he began in 1958. His first exhibition was in 1962 in the Bonython Gallery, Adelaide instead.

Although his works have been exhibited worldwide and bought by collectors, hard always remained his home connected and continued to live in Broken Hill, where he exhibited alongside his own works and those of other well-known Australian artist in his own gallery. Five times he received the Broken Hill Art Prize. In the 1970s and 1980s, he presented for the first time from plants in England, where Prince Philip acquired three images, as well as in the U.S., where one found its way into the White House, as well as Israel and Egypt.

His images show Australian landscapes, as well as rural scenes and religious motifs. His illustrations for a collection of Henry Lawson's poems show these motifs with a humorous undertone.

Many of his works have a political background and show their affiliation with the right conspiratorial circles and controversial organizations such as Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party. Hart was on the other hand but also known for its charitable activities and his generosity.

Recovery was hard with the Bible and organ music, he was a believing Christian. In the later years he installed pipe organ in his Pro Hart Gallery, Broken Hill which was known as a tourist attraction.

In 1976 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire, in 1983 the Australian Citizen of the Year award.

Hart fell ill in his later years to ALS. He was weakened by his illness, no longer pursue the painting in the last six months before his death. He died on 28 March 2006 at the age of 77 years.