Police are investigating the malicious damage of the grave site of renowned artist Kevin 'Pro' Hart at Broken Hill.
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Between 10.30am on Thursday February 13 and Saturday February 22, the grave site of the well-known artist was damaged by a white substance that has discoloured the black stone of the memorial site, NSW Police report.
The family of Mr Hart notified officers at Barrier Police District, who started inquiries.
Anyone witnesses, or anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area at the time, is urged to contact officers at Broken Hill Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Pro Hart was born at Broken Hill in 1928, began painting full-time in 1958 and took inspiration from the mining town he grew up in, according to website KAB Gallery.
Pro Hart became an icon of Broken Hill, his biographer Gavin Fry said in 2014.
In 2012, Dubbo-based artist Eddy Harris won the Pro Hart Prize in the 2012 Art Unlimited competition at Dunedoo.
Winning the Pro Hart Prize was especially meaningful for Harris, who was mentored by Pro Hart in his home town of Wilcannia in the early days of his painting career.
"As an Aboriginal, it's very important to me to be able to share my culture with others through my art; to receive this kind of acknowledgement means a lot," Mr Harris said then.
"It was also really good to see other Aboriginal artists recognised this year. Hopefully it will encourage a lot more in the future."
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