In setting up this website I've been conscious of the saying 'let the paintings speak for themselves' which I think recognises that art can speak to us beyond words, in colour, tone, shape, form and texture.
Therefore I've chosen only photographs that can be enlarged on the screen and tried to keep words to a minimum.
The work shown is a fraction of my output and is designed to show the variety of my practice.

A love of nature has always been central to my life and practice. Working from life, not photos, always deepens this appreciation.

For me it has always been about the thing seen, the thing in itself. I hope that something of this is conveyed to the viewer.

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Robert Hannaford was born and bred in rural South Australia 1944. After 3 years as the political cartoonist on the 'Adelaide Advertiser' in the mid 60's he has made his living from painting and sculpture. He lived in Ballarat 1967 - 68 where he attended the School of Mines. He lived in Melbourne from 1969 - 73 where he was the inaugural winner of the AME Bale residential art scholarship. He has lived in country South Australia, Adelaide and Sydney 2001 where he was artist-in-residence at Sydney Grammar School.
He has travelled and worked in India, Europe and Africa.

He now lives and works with his wife, artist Alison Mitchell, in a restored farmhouse near Riverton South Australia.

His other interests include indigenous culture (Ngadjuri), propagating endemic plants and gardening.
He is a founding member of the Bushland Conservation Company and Hester's Conservation Company.
For more information about the artist and his practice refer to the book ' Robert Hannaford Natural Eye' by John Neylon.