Robert Hannaford, AM

Born in 1944 on the family farm at Riverton, South Australia, RobertHannaford is today one of Australia's leading realist painters. A strong believer in direct observation of the subject with accurate and dashing draughtsmanship, his paintings are very confident and direct. Through economy, composition and light, new dimensions and attitudes are revealed.

Hannaford received no formal training as a painter, but sought the guidance of his great mentors, Sir Hans Heysen and Ivor Hele.

Says Hannaford "I have forever wanted to draw, paint and sculpt my reality. I am always amazed how such works expand my reality."

Hannaford was the Political Cartoonist on "The Advertiser from 1964 to 1967. He won the A.M.E. Bale Art Scholarship in 1969-73, and won the Doug Moran Portrait Prize in 1990. Winning Viewer Prize Archibald in 1991 and 1998, he has been at the forefront of Australian Portrait Awards. Hannaford was the inaugural "Fleurieu Prize" Winner in 1998.

Hannaford was again selected as a finalist for the 2002 and 2015 Archibald Prize.
In  2014 he was made a Member of the Order of Merit for his services to the arts.

Hannaford is also a committed lover of the Australian native flora and fauna and is the founder of the Bushland Conservation Company.

Solo Exhibitions

2015
'Observed', Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
'Gallipoli', watercolour illustrations from book by Ruth Stark, Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

2011
Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

2008
Art Equity, Sydney

2007
Harrison Galleries, Sydney
Robert Hannaford Retrospective Exhibition Carrick Hill, SA

2006
Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

2000
Artarmon Galleries Sydney

1998
Hill-Smith Fine Art Adelaide

1996
Hill-Smith Fine Art Adelaide

1994
Artarmon Galleries, Sydney

1992
Barry Newton Gallery Adelaide

1989
Barry Newton Gallery Adelaide
Holdsworth Gallery Sydney

Commissions/Selected Portraits
Dame Joan Sutherland
Sir Donald Bradman
Sir Edward Woodward
Hon. Paul Keating, Ex Prime Minister
Jean Blackburn, VC Canberra University
Hon. Bob Hawke, Ex Prime Minister
Sir Gerard Brennen, Chief Justice of the High Court
Professor Rolf Prince