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.<\/p>\n
Thieves in Adelaide have stolen two original paintings of Kevin Charles Hart \u2013 known as Pro Hart \u2013 from a home on the outskirts of the city.<\/p>\n
At some point between August 27 and September 2, a home in Woodville South was broken into while their owner was away.<\/p>\n
Several items were taken during the raid, including two original works produced by the late artist.<\/p>\n
Police have now appealed for anybody who may be able to trace the stolen works to step forward.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He was made an MBE in 1976 and received an Australian Citizen of the Year award in 1983 for his charitable work.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
While a prolific painter, his works still sell for thousands, making his stolen work a huge blow for its owners.<\/p>\n
He died on March 28, 2006 after development motor neurone disease and was honoured with large state funeral in Broken Hill following his death.<\/p>\n
The two stolen paintings were kept in gold coloured frames and were proudly displayed in the property before it was raided.<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 quoting reference 229234.<\/p>\n