Michael Bennallack Hart was born in Sussex in 1948. He obtained a degree in Art and Design at Ravensbourne College, and for twleve years pursued a successful career as a commercial artist before becoming a full-time artist. All Bennallack Hart’s work is in pastel, which is a very demanding medium for an artist, especially on a larger scale. His 2004 exhibition of landscapes at London’s Medici Gallery, his second solo exhibition with the gallery, proved a near sell-out. This new work was inspired by visits to Venice, Rome and the Italian Lakes, subjects much loved by earlier generations of British artists.

“While I do not compare myself to them,” Michael says “I do feel part of a tradition. It has given me great pleasure to stand on the same spots as they did, looking out on landscapes that have changed very little since the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly around the Venetian lagoon.”

Bennallack Hart won the 1985 Gold Clio Award in New York, the 1989 Creative Circle Bronze, London and the 1995 Andrew Herring Prize from the Pastel Society, London. Since the late 90s Bennallack Hart has had several one-man shows in London. His work has also been exhibited in New York, San Francisco and the Royal Academy Summer Show.