Pro Hart was discovered by Kym Bonython (Art Dealer) in 1962. Over his career, Pro’s popularity as an outback larrikin artist, saw career rise to fame and fortune as his artwork began to fill both private and corporate art collections around Australia and the world. Australian Pro Hart’s unique styles, and his exploration of new and expressive techniques, underpinned his work, and over a 50 year period, cemented him as one of Australia’s truly great artists.

Pro Hart was one of Australia’s most popular and controversial artists. Born Kevin Charles Hart in Broken Hill, NSW on 30 May 1928, his early years were spent on the family sheep property, “Larloona Station,” around 130 kms south east of Broken Hill near Menindee, NSW.

Pro Hart’s First Artwork

Pro’s first real introduction to art was during his childhood years whilst studying via correspondence school lessons at Larloona Station. With his mother (Kath Hart) acting as tutor/teacher, both Pro and his brother Bob were educated at the isolated outback property. It was during these early years that Pro first discovered he was able to sketch and paint, even from as young as seven years old. Choosing to illustrate his school work– often in preference to writing, Pro was encouraged to express his ideas through his artwork. Purely self-taught with no formal art training, Pro soon began to develop what would later become the framework for his unique painting style.

Pro Hart’s Subjects

In his early teens, Pro and his family moved to Broken Hill in order for Pro and his brother Bob to attend Marist Brothers college for their final high school years. After completing his education, Pro started work in the Broken Hill mines. Often working twelve-hour shifts, he was forced to paint long into the night and on weekends. His time spent working underground made a lasting impression on him and became a great source of inspiration, as did years on the surface around the arid mining town. Pro enjoyed the outback lifestyle and was a keen observer of life and people. The local activities such as horse and dog races were an endless source of inspiration, especially the action around bars and bookies’ tents. Pro loved to illustrate Australian people doing life, whether it was in the outback or by the water, his ability to capture the spirit of Australia through his artwork was perhaps his greatest gift.

Pro Hart was originally discovered by south Australian art dealer Kym Bonython in 1962. Upon visiting Broken Hill, Kym stopped at a service station to refuel his car when he came across an art display inside the store that featured some paintings by Pro. Seeing potential in his artwork, Kym contacted Pro and offered him his first solo art exhibition in the city of Adelaide S.A. As time went by, Pro’s popularity as an outback larrikin artist, saw career rise to fame and fortune as his artwork began to fill both private and corporate art collections around Australia and around the world.

Pro was also an accomplished sculptor. In the late 1960s he began using ceramics, and experimenting with bronze and copper plates, before eventually discovering his love for welding steel. Many of Pro’s steel sculptures can still be found around the city of Broken Hill, and of course some of the best examples can be found at the Pro Hart Art Gallery on the northern side of the city.

Illustrating life

Pro Hart never liked to be referred to as a landscape painter, however his landscapes were perhaps among his most popular and most recognisable works; many of which depicted his early memories of life around the sheep station where he grew up. Pro particularly loved to find comedy in outback life, and events such as the Country Race Meetings, family picnics, and outback celebrations, with many of these subjects becoming an extension of his landscape work. Pro found inspiration wherever he went. Being a keen observer of life and people, his work expanded into many styles and subjects, from river banks to creek beds and beaches to cities. His quirky insect studies and flowers paintings also became some of his most recognised works, some of them crossing over from canvas to television during the 1990’s when they featured in several commercials for stain master carpet.

Career Highlights

Over his long career, Pro became highly successful as an artist; In recognition of his outstanding service to the arts, he was awarded the distinction of Member of the British Empire (MBE) in 1976, and was also admitted to the Order of St John as a Serving Brother by Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip of England. In 1982 he received an Honorary Life Membership of Society International Artistique for outstanding artistic achievement. This award is granted to only one artist per continent. In 1983 Pro also received an Australian Citizen of the Year Award.

Pro Hart paintings now hang in the Art Galleries of NSW and SA, the Mertz Collection, the White House Collection in the U.S.A, Buckingham Palace, London, as well as private and corporate collections around Australia and around the world.

Up until 2008 the Pro Hart Gallery in Broken Hill, housed one of the largest private collections in Australia including a major collection of over 300 Dobell etchings, and featured both Australian and European masters. Following Pro Hart’s death in March of 2006 the gallery was reconfigured to house a retrospective of pro’s artwork spanning from 1962 – 2006. Over his career Pro Hart featured in tv commercials and in numerous documentaries; he has also illustrated more than 14 books, and has had 19 International art exhibitions. His work has been reproduced as limited edition prints, giclées, silk screens and etchings; all of which have become highly sought after collectable. Pro’s unique styles, and his exploration of new and expressive techniques, underpinned his work, and over a 47 year period, cemented him as one of Australia’s most colourful characters, and as one of its truly great artists.

Pro Hart’s Passing (1928 – 2006)

In December 2005, Pro Hart received the devastating news that he had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, a fatal and progressive muscle and nerve wasting condition. On Tuesday, 28 March 2006, surrounded by his family, Pro Hart passed away peacefully at his home in Broken Hill at the age of 77. Pro was given a State Funeral in honor and tribute to his life and his contributions to charity, community and the arts. In November 2006, David Hart Galleries presented a Pro Hart Tribute Exhibition, symbolising the final chapter in Pro’s Career. The Tribute Exhibition sold more than any other exhibition in his entire 47-year career, demonstrating both Australians’ love for his work, and the desire to collect the work of a truly gifted Australian art icon.

Pro Hart loved Australia, and Australia loved him. He will be forever missed!