David Hart is ‘true blue’. This Australian colloquial expression sums up the honesty and sincerity that are the hallmarks of a positive and inquiring personality. David’s World Renowned father, Pro Hart, has passed on his blessing to David to carry on with his incredible talent. He has intrusted David with many of his secrets in creating masterpieces.
Quiet and unobtrusive, yet definite and direct, David is intelligent, a listener…a sponge-like observer who soaks in his environment and the opinions of others before deciding his own individual course of action. And ‘action’ is precisely how his view of the world is translated. Thickly knifed and energetic swirls of paint are literally suspended from the canvas in a vibrant symphony of colour and texture.
Born and raised in Broken Hill, a dusty mining town in western New South Wales, David Hart found beauty, colour and peace where others couldn’t. Today, he lives with his wife and young family on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, a bubbling seaside tourist destination that is by all accounts, a complete contrast to his early environment.
There seems no limit to the talent and diversity as David explores explosive flower studies and street scenes, gentle watercolours and masculine iconic oils of the mining town, the company and workers who determined so much of Australia’s history. The memories and experiences of his childhood, youth and environment are the forces at work behind his inspiration. Australia’s harshness and beauty are distinctive influences while a loyal childhood companion, David’s pet dog Bogart, is ever present in his work…sitting quietly, patiently and all knowing.
Tools of the Trade
Using a luscious, heavily impasted painting style, David Hart literally carves images on to the canvas. He is an action painter, whose strongly knifed works are remarkably defined and delicate. Paint is literally spilled over the surface creating energy, texture and depth – a celebration of colour and life. An explorative painter, he investigates a range of techniques including Glazing. Seemingly endless layers of colour are applied then rubbed away to allow the light to emerge from the depths of darkness.
Career Achievements
For the past decade, David Hart has exhibited extensively throughout Australia. As his popularity continues to soar, so do the numerous offers made by galleries throughout the country to represent his work. David Hart’s paintings are displayed in significant private collections throughout Europe, the United States, Singapore, 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
• Pro Hart 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
David Hart’s other important achievements include:
1997 – The Brisbane Lord Mayor commissioned David to paint a series of city street scenes as gifts for Japanese diplomats.
1998 – Motorline BMW Brisbane commissioned David to paint a 4m x 2m flower mural, which led to David’s appointment as an ambassador for Motorline BMW.
1999 - Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) televised a documentary on the life of David Hart as part of highly acclaimed “The Australian Story” series. This program that profiles only prominent Australians provided a snap shot of David’s life and his achievements, although in reality the production involved around 10 weeks of filming. This program was aired both in Australia and overseas.
2000 – Queensland Paralympic Association commissioned David to paint the Opening Ceremony that was held at the Homebush Olympic Stadium. Titled “Share the Dream”, this painting was reproduced in 250 limited edition prints. These sold out within three months and raised over $A50,000 as part of a major fundraising project. One print sold at auction for $A2,500.
2001 - David moved his studio gallery from Albany Creek, Brisbane to the beautiful Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. In the first year of opening the gallery David’s popularity saw so many sales that his prices had to increase every 8 weeks to keep up with the demand.
2002 - David had a one man exhibition at his gallery in Mooloolaba and had people lined up to buy his paintings. 80% was sold out on opening night and there were over 10 works commissioned.
2003 - In October of 2003 saw a second David Hart Galleries open in Hastings Street, Noosa. Like Mooloolaba it has a corporate but welcoming feel that makes you feel comfortable whether you are in a bikini or a suit.
2003 - David was among a select group of artists chosen from the world art community to represent Australia, by invitation only, at the Florence Biennale. The Biennale is one of the art world’s most prestigious events and participation is by nomination only, which is made by a member of the International Committee of Critics. Artworks are then considered by an International Jury, which comprises distinguished art and museum curators and contemporary art critics. Nominated works must also meet specific criteria set down by Cultural Departments formed by art scholars, before the final approval to exhibit is decided by the Biennale Organising Committee.
2005 - Upon David’s return from New York, not only did David receive a personal letter from Donald Trump telling David how much he loved his work but was also approached by 5 different galleries throughout the USA wanting to represent him.
2006 - David Exhibited the Christ series at his Mooloolaba and Noosa galleries.
2006 - David authored the most comprehensive biography ever written on his late father, world renowned artist Pro Hart, published by Ark House Press in 2007.
2007 - David researched and embarked on painting a significant and important body of work based on the arrival of the first white man on Australian soil and the conflicts that ensued between white man and the traditional Aboriginal owners. This series is known as the Arrival Series and is expected to take a few years to paint.
2008 - The release of David's range of products was an exciting step in his journey. The David Hart Homewares Collection has been designed so that clients can appreciate art through functional objects and in an everyday scenario. It consists of Placemats, Coasters, 100% linen tea towel and recipe journal. All pieces are adorned with the iconic Dragonfly image. The David Hart Inspiration range of Calendars, Daily Inspirations,Journals, Card Sets, Writing Pads, Books, Travel Journals, Sketch Books and prints showcase a stunning selectionof David's much loved work.
2009 - David exhibited a sellout exhibition in Rockhampton, QLD and was a feature artist as an exhibition held at Greythorne Galleries in Melbourne and Manyung Gallery in Morninton Peninsula. He was a feature aritst in the 2010 Collectors Exhibition exhibiting alongside David Boyd, Robert Dickerson, Pro Hart and d Arcy W. Doyle. David also launched his 2010 Calendar at his one man "Private Collection" exhibition at Mooloolaba in July and in August he was the feature artist of the Nudgee College Exhibition in Brisbane.
2010 - "Metal & Canvas" was a collaboration between Porsche Brisbane and David Hart. David exhibited a stunning array of artworks alongside the impressive new 2010 Porsche Series. Hosted by the Porsche Centre Brisbane Showroom, this exceptional mix of automobiles and artworks set the scene for a sensational event.
For more about David, visit his website:
www.davidhart.com.au
