Description

CRAIG RUDDY (AUS)
“Untitled”
Mixed media on canvas.
137cm x 183cm

ARTIST BIO

Craig Ruddy was born in Forestville in 1968 and is an award-winning, contemporary artist who lives and works in The Pocket in Northern New South Wales. 

Craig was diagnosed early in his life with a potentially life-threatening illness, which questioned his survival into adulthood. As a result of this, Craig’s parents limited his outdoor activities and it is from here that Craig began to explore his talent for art. 

In the late 1980’s Craig studied design and fashion illustration in Sydney and worked as a landscaper, designer and art director. 

From being inspired by his friends, Ruddy decided in 2001 to step away from his successful career in design and pursued his passion for full-time painting. 

In 2004 Craig won the prestigious Archibald Prize with his controversial portrait of Indigenous actor David Gulpilil and went onto to become one of the most talked about winners of the Archibald, given the subtext of his work which highlighted the importance of Indigenous recognition and reconciliation. 

Craig went on to hold numerous sell-out solo exhibitions in Sydney and travelled throughout Europe and South America developing his artistic talent and going on to set up a second studio in Argentina. 

Craig’s work is inspired by nature and thus, the artist is recognised for incorporating the unique natural aspects of the Australian landscape into the backgrounds of his work. 

Ruddy’s iconic painting style pushes the boundaries of traditional portraiture and the human form by utilising a variety of mediums including paint, charcoal, pencil drawing, varnish and glass. This unique painting style allows for the artist to create evoking works of art that serve as a spiritual metaphor, as the artist’s style allows for the foreground and background of his works to beautifully co-exist.