Pro Hart
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Pro Hart | |
---|---|
Born | Kevin Charles Hart 30 May 1928 |
Died | 28 March 2006 Broken Hill | (aged 77)
Nationality | Australian |
Spouse | Raylee June Tonkin |
Children | Kym Hart David Hart |
Kevin Charles "Pro" Hart,
Art styles
Hart typically painted with oils or acrylics, using paint brushes and sponges, and depict scenes of rural town life, nature, topical commentary, and some religious subjects.[citation needed] His illustrations for the collection of Henry Lawson's poems show keen powers of character observation combined with an obvious wit. Hart was also a sculptor, working with welded steel, bronze and ceramics.[citation needed]
Pro Hart was known for his novel techniques including "cannon painting"[1] and "balloon painting".[2] An example of his cannon painting technique appeared in a famous 1988 television commercial Hart appeared in which saw the artist create the image of a dragonfly on carpet using food.[3][4] In 2002 he was using his own DNA as a mark of authenticity in his paintings.[5][6] Retrospective application of a DNA mark is available for older Pro Hart paintings.
For most of his career Hart was dismissed by many critics as a mere showman, with his art often judged as populist and derivative, and not good enough for serious critical attention.[
Beliefs
He frequently addressed political themes in his artwork. When asked about this subject, he stated "If I said what I thought sometimes, I might get sued so I paint to show what is going on, to bring out the truth and make people aware".[8]
The painting Aboriginal Land Rights is from Pro Hart's "masks" period. This painting highlights his conspiracy ideas with regards to
[original research?][citation needed]
Pastimes
He collected vintage cars and motor cycles, and invented many kinds of engines and machines. He enjoyed pistol shooting, reading the Bible, and organ music.
Awards
He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1976. In 1982 he received an Honorary Life Membership of Society International Martinique for outstanding artistic achievement. He received an Australian Citizen of the Year award in 1983, and was known for his charitable work and generosity.[citation needed]
Final years
Pro Hart developed
He was interred in the Broken Hill cemetery.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Cannon painting". Phillips Fine Art. Retrieved 27 March 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Balloon Painting". Phillips Fine Art. Retrieved 27 September 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ STAINMASTER (21 September 2016), STAINMASTER® carpet TV Commercial with Pro Hart 1988, archived from the original on 22 July 2021, retrieved 12 June 2017
- ^ "Stainmaster resurrects Pro Hart TVC". Ad News. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "Australian art in midst of periodic boom". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 May 2006.
- ^ "DNA protected art by Pro Hart". Genome News Network. 27 September 2002.
- Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ Hills, Kevin. "Pro Hart - Australian Artist". Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "Pro Hart biography by Lee Wilde". RedBubble. Retrieved 27 March 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Pro Hart biography". Phillips Fine Art. Archived from the original on 13 June 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
External links
- Artist Pro Hart dies Australian Broadcasting Corporation news item.
- Artist Pro Hart dies Sydney Morning Herald
- Obituary for Kevin Charles "Pro" Hart MBE Obits.com.au - Australian Death Notices, Funeral Notices and Obituaries
- Pro Hart Gallery
- Pro Hart at Australian Art
- Pro Hart at Australian Prints
- Interview with Pro Hart in Broken Hill from 1976 from the National Film & Sound Archive of Australia's australianscreen online.
- The Hart legacy