The Australian art community has been rocked by the shock death of a former Archibald Prize winner, just weeks after the tragic loss of his most famous subject.
Artist Craig Ruddy, 53, was battling complications with Covid-19 when he died in the arms of his long-time partner Roberto Meza Mont at their Byron Bay home in far northern NSW on Tuesday night.
His most famous work was his 2004 Archibald Prize winning portrait of Australian acting legend and Crocodile Dundee star David Gulpilil, who lost his brave battle with terminal lung cancer on November 29.
‘It is with the heaviest of tender hearts we let you know that last night Craig left his body peacefully at home in Roberto’s arms,’ a statement on Ruddy’s social media pages read.
Craig Ruddy (left) died in the arms of his partner of 20 years Roberto (right) on Tuesday night
‘We have lost the most divine human that gave so much to our communities, the creativity, the inspiration, the pure love and plenty of dance.
‘Let’s remember him as he was always wanted to be remembered.’
‘We ask over these next few days a quietening within, to light a candle & play the music that moves you softly.’
Actress Isabel Lucas was among those to pay tribute.
‘We are sending so much love. We are so so sorry to hear this,’ she commented.
Byron Bay Shire Council Mayor Michael Lyon also paid tribute.
‘Devastated at the loss of my good friend and neighbour, artist Craig Ruddy. Too young to leave us and such a beautiful, kind and generous soul, am still in complete shock,’ he posted on Facebook.
There are currently 96 cases of Covid in the Byron Bay region.
The artist (middle) left is best known for his Archibald Prize winning portrait of Australian actor David Gulpilil (right)
Just five days ago, Ruddy’s partner of 20 years posted a photo of the couple ringing in the new year together.
‘Happy new year 2022 from Australia,’ it was captioned.
Born in Sydney, Ruddy suffered a rare and life-threatening condition as a child where his lungs would haemorrhage, leaving him anaemic and short of breath.
He studied design and fashion illustration in Sydney before a successful career as a landscape gardener, designer and art director.
Ruddy quit his design career in order to pursue his lifelong passion for art and painting.
The leap of faith paid off and three years later, won the $35,000 Archibald Prize for his charcoal painting of Gulpilil.
Craog Ruddy won the 2004 Archibald Prize for his charcoal painting of Gulpilil, just three years after he quit his successful design career
The portrait entitled Two Worlds also won the People’s Choice Award in Sydney and Melbourne.
Artist Tony Johansen took legal action against the Art Gallery of NSW Trust on the claim Ruddy’s portrait was. His claim was later dismissed by the NSW Supreme Court.
Ruddy won the Archibald People’s Choice Prize for his portrait of Warwick Thornton in 2010 and was also an Archibald finalist in 2006, 2010 and 2011.
He recently described his dear friend David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu as strong, resilient and cheeky following the actor’s death at his home at Murray Bridge in South Australia on November 29.
Craig Ruddy’s shock death comes just days after his partner Roberto (left) shared a photo of the couple ringing in 2022
‘My first awareness of David was in the memorable film Walkabout where his appearance captured my imagination and bridged my connection to our First Nations People,’ Ruddy wrote.
‘From that moment onwards, his powerful presence has been deeply tangled in my consciousness. Through Walkabout and Storm Boy, David became a profound figure that I looked up to and admired for his charisma, strength and cinematic magnetism.
‘I was so honoured and grateful when I got to meet him in person to celebrate his being and each subsequent meeting feuled the honour, respect and admiration I have for him. David was a brilliant artist in every sense of the word, and his great legacy will continue to bring us joy and laughter.
Craig Ruddy (pictured) has been remembered by loved ones as ‘the most divine human’
