Two original works of an artist celebrated as one of the founding fathers of the Australian Outback painting movement and potentially worth thousands have been snatched during a callous break-in.
Thieves in Adelaide have stolen two original paintings of Kevin Charles Hart – known as Pro Hart – from a home on the outskirts of the city.
At some point between August 27 and September 2, a home in Woodville South was broken into while their owner was away.
Several items were taken during the raid, including two original works produced by the late artist.
Police have now appealed for anybody who may be able to trace the stolen works to step forward.
Also snatched during the break-in was a distinctive gold opal ring, a television, power tools and various other items, with the entire home ransacked.
Born in May 1928, in Broken Hill, NSW, Mr Hart developed a strong reputation for capturing the beauty of the Aussie Outback and placing it on canvas.
He was made an MBE in 1976 and received an Australian Citizen of the Year award in 1983 for his charitable work.
His most expensive work was a painting called The Banjo Paterson Mural, which fetched just shy of $100,000 at auction in May 2003, when he was still alive.
Other examples of his work have been sold for tens of thousands of dollars, including a painting of the Adelaide Oval which sold for $52,000.
While a prolific painter, his works still sell for thousands, making his stolen work a huge blow for its owners.
He died on March 28, 2006 after development motor neurone disease and was honoured with large state funeral in Broken Hill following his death.
The two stolen paintings were kept in gold coloured frames and were proudly displayed in the property before it was raided.
Anyone with information on the break-in or whereabouts of the stolen property is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or 1800 333 000 – quoting reference 229234.
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