Craig Ruddy Australian, b. 1968-
Craig Ruddy is an award winning contemporary artist who lives and works in The Pocket in Northern NSW Australia.
Craig Ruddy is renowned for his dramatic figurative portraits that are often interwoven into richly textured abstracted landscapes. Ruddy’s art practice explores the space between our real and mythical connections to the land and environment. His work reflects a deeply personal ongoing spiritual journey, where the artist explores questions of social conscience as well as current environmental issues. The recognition of Australian Indigenous People and Culture is also a core theme that has permeated the narrative of his past work and exhibitions.
Craig Ruddy’s inimitable painting style pushes the traditional boundaries of this classic medium. His work process involves a complex layering of mixed mediums that include paint, charcoal, pencil drawing, varnish and even glass. Ruddy’s figures become inseparable from the landscapes in which they reside. His unique use of layering creates an illusion of transparency, whereby the foreground and background seem to both simultaneously co-exist and disappear, becoming one and the same. The illusory technique mirrors a deeper spiritual metaphor; the interconnectedness of all things.
The artist’s work is a continuing tribute to his surroundings, country and the people that reside within it. Ruddy’s practice is intuitive and organic. His use of free flowing sensitive lines combined with a vibrant dynamic colour palate result in bold paintings that are both sensual and powerful, aptly reflecting the inspiration he draws from the Australian landscape.
History
1968 Born Sydney, NSW
1988 Diplomas in Interior Design, Graphic Design and Fashion Illustration
2002 Began painting full-time
2005 Lived & painted in Barcelona, Spain
2008 Set up residence and studio in Buenos Aires
2009 Lived and painted in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
2010 Lived in Sydney
2012 Lived in Byron Bay at his new home/studio
2013 Moved to South America, 4 months in Lima then Buenos Aires
2015 Lived between Buenos Aires and Byron Bay
2016 Currently living and working in his studio in The Pocket, Byron Bay
Exhibitions
2014 Melbourne Art Fair – Gallery One
2013 New works – Gallery One, Queensland
2013 New works – Richard Martin, Sydney
2012 New works – Gallery One, Queensland
2012 Melbourne Art Fair – 1st to 5th August Body of work: “…and they have escaped the weight of darkness”.
2011 "Imago II", Richard Martin Art, Sydney "One Egg, One World" Charity Event, Melbourne
2010 "Summer Exhibition", Richard Martin Art, Sydney Exhibition "Imago I", Gallery One, Qld Archibald Prize AGNSW, Sydney Group Exhibition - "Matt, Dive, Gold" Smith & Hall Gallery, Sydney
2009 Solo Exhibition – ‘Levitação/Levitation’ Richard Martin Art, Sydney
2008 Solo Exhibition – ‘New Works’ Richard Martin Art, Sydney
2007 Solo Exhibition – ‘Polar’, Richard Martin Art, Sydney
2006 Solo Exhibition – ‘Remnants of an Urban Landscape’ Richard Martin Art, Sydney
2006 Art Sydney 06 - Featured artist Richard Martin Art, Sydney
2006 Archibald Prize – AGNSW, Sydney
2006 Solo Exhibition - London UK
2004 Archibald Prize – AGNSW, Sydney
2004 Solo exhibition - Graphis Art Gallery, Sydney
2004 Group exhibition - Salon des Refusés, Sydney
2003 Solo exhibition - Graphis Art Gallery, Sydney 2002 Solo exhibition - Sydney Fringe Festival
Awards and Prizes
2011 Finalist – Archibald prize AGNSW – Portrait of Cathy Freeman
2010 Winner, The People's Choice - Archibald Prize AGNSW
2010 Finalist - Archibald Prize AGNSW – Portrait of Warwick Thornton
2006 Finalist - Archibald Prize AGNSW – Self-portrait
2004 Winner - Archibald Prize AGNSW – Portrait of David Gulpilil
2004 Winner - People's Choice (Archibald Prize) Melbourne
2004 Winner - People's Choice (Archibald Prize) AGNSW
Collections
Paintings are held in private and corporate collections throughout Australia and overseas.
Editorial
March 2012 After the Archibalds Photography by Jennifer Soo Elissa Blake the (sydney) magazine January 2011 Breaking the Cocoon Marina Saint Martin Gold Coast Bulletin
May 2010 Ruddy wins People's Choice Archibald (currently unavailable) 9 News
May 2010 Levitation at Ipanema Beach Lola Matheus Radar Magazine
24 May 2010 People love the Prince of Darkness International Business Time (online)
21 May 2010 Thornton crowned the peoples' prince (currently unavailable) JOYCE MORGAN The Sydney Morning Herald
20 May 2010 Prince of Darkness wins People's Choice award World News Australia www.sbs.com.au
20 May 2010 Craig Ruddy - Winner of The People's Choice (currently unavailable)
2010 Archibald Prize Art Gallery of NSW
Thursday, May 20,2010 Aboriginal director's portrait wins art prize CBC News (www.cbc.ca)
20 May 2010 Craig Ruddy wins People's Choice Archibald for Warwick Thornton portrait The Australian 20 May 2010 Craig Ruddy's portrait of Warwick Thornton wins People's Choice Award for the Archibald Prize Couriermail.com.au
May 2010 Prince of Darkness is people's choice ABC News online
2010 Craig Ruddy's Portrait of Warwick Thornton Wins Archibald People's Choice www.artknowledgenews.com
2010 Craig Ruddy's Portrait of Warwick Thornton Wins Archibald People's Choice www.artdaily.org
May 2010 Archibald Prize (currently unavailable) Helen Razer Citysearch
March 2010 Archibald Prize 2010 (currently unavailable) www.thearchibaldprize.com.au
28-29 November 2009 From Archibald to Argentina Craig Ruddy fled the controversy over his Gulpilil portrait to find inspiration in South America Katrina Strickland The Weekend Australian Financial Review November 2009 Artist Craig Ruddy Opening at Richard Martin Art, NSW www.fashionstreets.com - Art & Design
November 2009 Levitação / Levitation Craig Ruddy - New Exhibition by Jonathan Turner, the award-winning Romebased art critic and curator. Catalogue Essay
April 2007 Open Gallery (currently unavailable) POLAR Clara Iaccarino Publication: Sydney Morning Herald Section: Spectrum Page: 16
April 2007 A survivor celebrates art and life (currently unavailable) Steve Meacham Publication: Sydney Morning Herald Section: Spectrum Page: 4
Summer 2007 Portrait of the artist Words by Christine Piper, Photograph by Peter Collie GQ Magazine September 2006 Paint by numbers James Cockington Publication: Sydney Morning Herald Section: Money Page: 14
Spring 2006 Craig Ruddy (currently unavailable) Dumbo feather, pass it on Issue 9
Broadcast: 28/08/2006 Art auction posts record prices TRANSCRIPT Reporter: Anne Maria Nicholson ABC Radio, Lateline Programme
29th August, 2006 Size and controversy do matter in the art world Simon Kearney and Jane Fraser The Australian
August 2006 That's your bloomin' lot - the controversial and the classic (currently unavailable) Emily Dunn Publication: Sydney Morning Herald Section: News and Features Page: 3
August 2006 Lyrics come to life on canvas Jamie Pandaram. Publication: Sydney Morning Herald Section: News and Features Page: 9
August 2006 ART CLASS Craig Ruddy Vogue Australia August 12,
2006 Your Time Starts Now - Craig Ruddy Painter and Archibald Winner Good Weekend, The Sydney Morning Herald
August 2006 60 Seconds with Craig Ruddy, artist (currently unavailable) City Weekly, Clockon: Inbox August 2006 Craig Ruddy Exhibition (currently unavailable) sydney.diarystar.com.au
July 2006 Box office 1 of 2 The Archibald Prize controversy is behind him and Craig Ruddy is ready to move on. Mark Chipperfield Publication: Sydney Morning Herald Section: The Sydney Magazine Page: 88 June 2006 Archie goes shopping (currently unavailable) MICHAEL DWYER The Age Section: Metro Page: 22
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 Court dismisses Archibald prize challenge ABC News online
30 May 2006 There's a fine line between painting and drawing AMY FALLON The Age Section: News Page: 7
May 29, 2006 Artist sues over Archibald winner Photo: Rodger Cummins The Sydney Morning Herald (online)
May 2006 Art judges accused of drawing wrong conclusion Natasha Wallace Sydney Morning Herald Section: News and Features Page: 3
2006 3 Artists: Craig Ruddy (currently unavailable) Photography Harold David Dazed and Confused Vol1 No. 1
2006 Craig Ruddy Finalist www.artofmusic.com.au
2004 Archibald legal argybargies (currently unavailable) Donald Richardson The Adelaide Review
June, 05 Craig Ruddy, Artist The (sydney) magazine, Issue #26
2005 Let's Face It The History of the Archibald Prize Peter Ross Published by Art Gallery of NSW Wales, Sydney
November 26, 2004 A brush with controversy Carolyn Webb The Age
July 2004 Go Your Own Way TIM COLQUHOUN Publication: Sydney Morning Herald Section: Radar Page: 10
July 2004 Lines are drawn for a prize fight Sharon Verghis Sydney Morning Herald Section: Metropolitan Page: 14
June 2004 Craig Ruddy's Courage is Rewarded The Winner and all the finalists in the Art Gallery of NSW' 2004 Archibald Prize AGNSW - Art Prizes
Friday, 26 March, 2004 Art win for Aboriginal portrait A portrait of leading Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil has won one of Australia's most prized art contests. BBC News On line
2004 Brush with Fame Life as a Struggling Artist The Sydney Telegraph
May 2004 ARCHIBALD WINNER 2004 Craig Ruddy David Gulpilil, two worlds Press Release Art Gallery of NSW
May 2004 Artist brushed off at Archibald winner Malcolm Brown Publication: Sydney Morning Herald Section: News And Features Page: 2
6 May 2004 People's Choice Award Winner - Craig Ruddy (currently unavailable) Archibald Prize 2004 AGNSW
Thursday 6 May, 2004 Archibald Prize People's Choice winner announced (currently unavailable) www.stateart.com.au
Friday, 26 March , 2004 Craig Ruddy wins Archibald for portrait of David Gulpilil Interview Reporter: Jayne-Maree Sedgman PM
March 26, 2004 Ruddy wins Archibald with Gulpilil portrait The Age
May 2004 Craig Ruddy wins Archibald for portrait of David Gulpilil Reporter: Jayne-Maree Sedgman The World Today - www.abc.net.au
March 2004 Elusive tracker a winner for artist (currently unavailable) Illawarra Mercury Section: News Page: 7 March 2004 ARCHIBALD WINNER 2004 (currently unavailable) Craig Ruddy David Gulpilil, two worlds AGNSW Artmail
2003/04 From Commercialism to Truth Story by Monica Rosenfeld, Photography by Richard Weinstein Lino Magazine
October 2003 Critic's picks - Craig Ruddy (currently unavailable) Dominique Angeloro Publication: Sydney Morning Herald Section: Metro Page: 27
September 29, 2003 VISUAL ARTS (currently unavailable) The Sydney Morning Herald, Metropolitan