David Hart

David Hart
1971 –

David Hart is best described as an action painter whose strongly knifed works are remarkably defined and delicate. As paint is spilled over surfaces and splashed about, it creates energy texture and life with each explosion of colour. As an explorer he isn’t afraid to investigate new techniques and it’s these discoveries that fuel David’s passion for his art. His interest lies in illustrating life. Whether he’s painting Australian history, flower studies, beach scenes, gentle watercolours or masculine mining towns, like his renowned father Pro Hart, David is a great observer, influenced by all that he sees around him.

Born and raised in Broken Hill, New South Wales (an outback Australian town rich in mining heritage with a vibrant arts community) David grew up in a home which fostered creativity and made it fun. He watched his father at work and first put paint on canvas while he was still in nappies. Encouraged but never pushed, he explored his creative interests, dabbling in pottery, sculpting, enamelling, casting and welding during his youth. Creating his first serious painting when he was just sixteen years of age, David began the first steps on a journey that would see him become a recognised artist in his own right.

David benefited from a lifetime of exposure to really great art and artists whom he was fortunate enough to meet as a young boy in his family home. However there is no doubt that his father Pro Hart has been the single most important influence in David’s life. He learned from Pro’s experience whilst developing his own technique and style.

Australia’s harshness and beauty have been distinctive influences in his life. Growing up in the Australian bush has left David with lasting memories of interesting characters and the challenges they face living life in the outback. He paints from his soul and produces work that reflects his love of painting, exhibiting throughout Australia and internationally.

David is represented by galleries in Australia, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA) and his paintings are held in private collections throughout Europe, the United States of America, SE Asia, the United Kingdom, Japan and other countries around the world including:
The Lord Earl Spencer Collection
 Governor of Bangkok Collection
 Mayor of Kaosiung Collection
 Mayor of Taipei Collection
 Donald Trump Collection
 Chairman of Formosa Plastic Group Collection
 City of Kobe Collection
 FIFA President, Jaoa Havelange Collection
 Chulito, President of Zambia Collection
 Nicole Kidman
 Australian Prime Minister, John Howard
 Marcia Hynes
 Vanessa Amorosi
 James Morrison
 Danni Hynes
Achievements
1997 Brisbane Lord Mayor commission of street scenes as gifts for Japanese diplomats.
1998 Motorline BMW Brisbane commission
1999 Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) documentary on the life of David Hart as part of “The Australian Story” series.
2000 Queensland Paralympic Association commission “Share the Dream”, to paint the Opening Ceremony held at the Homebush Olympic Stadium. Reproduced in 250 limited edition prints, it raised over AUD$50,000 as part of a major fundraising project.
2007 “Arrival” series based on the arrival of the first white man on Australian soil and the ensuing conflicts between white man and the traditional Aboriginal owners.
David’s biography on Pro Hart MBE “Dying to be Heard”, published by Ark House Press.
2008 The release of David Hart Homewares Collection
2009 Sellout exhibition Rockhampton, Qld.
Feature artist a, Greythorne Galleries, Melbourne, Manyung Gallery, Mornington.
2010 Feature artist, Collectors Exhibition exhibiting alongside David Boyd, Robert Dickerson, Pro Hart and d’Arcy W. Doyle
2010 “Metal & Canvas” collaboration Porsche Brisbane
2011 Collaboration with Maxwell & Williams for a range of David Hart mugs
2012 Collaboration with Norman’s Wines on Hart Special Edition wines celebrating 100 years of family heritage and skill
Telstra commission of a mural for the 2012 London Olympic Games
2013 The launch of South Korea agency, held at the Australian Embassy,
First solo exhibition in Seoul, South Korea at the Grand Hyatt including collaboration with renowned fashion designer Lie Sang Bong & Jung Kyoung ‘s performance of an operama based on David’s artworks.
2014 The Design Hub , Singapore
Selected by the QLD Government to represent QLD artists at the opening of the China Construction Bank in Brisbane during the G20 Leaders Summit.
2015 Completion of an 8.5 year project entitled “Our Secret War”, a 47-piece Australian colonial history exhibition based on the invasion of Australia by the British first fleet in 1788 and its impact
2015 David’s portrait by Jessica Le Clerc was judged one of the top 10 in Australia’s most prestigious portrait prize, The Archibald, hung in the Gallery of NSW in Sydney