Craig Ruddy was best known for his dramatic figurative portraits of leading Indigenous Australian figures including David Gulpilil, Bruce Pascoe, and Cathy Freeman.
Much-loved artist Craig Ruddy left the artistic community and his loved ones devastated after he passed away on Jan. 5 at the age of 53. Since the news of his death, people have been paying tribute and leaving messages of condolences on social media.
Who was Craig Ruddy?
Craig Ruddy was an Australian artist best known for his charcoal drawing of David Gulpilil, an Indigenous Australian actor, which won him the Archibald Prize in 2004.
Ruddy was a five-time finalist for the Archibald Prize. Throughout the years, he had painted portraits of Aboriginal director Warwick Thornton, Bruce Pascoe, Cathy Freeman, and himself.
Craig Ruddy Died of Covid-19 Complications
Craig Ruddy, an Australian artist noted for his paintings of Aboriginal people, died of complications related to Covid-19 on January 5 at the age of 53. His death was announced on his social media pages.
Referring to Ruddy’s partner, Roberto Meza Mont, the post said:
“It is with the heaviest of tender hearts we let you know that last night Craig left his body peacefully at home in Robertos arms. 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.’”
Ruddy had been tested positive to COVID-19 a few weeks before his death. His fantastic artistic career has been cut short by COVID.
Ruddy is now survived by his parents and his partner of two decades, Roberto Meza Mont. His family hasn’t yet released any statement related to his funeral.
FAQs
Where was Craig Ruddy Born?
Ruddy was born in 1968 in Sydney’s northern suburbs, between the Ku-ring-gai Chase and Garigal National Parks. Nature was always a constant in his life, and it made its way into his art.
Did Craig Ruddy have a Lung Condition?
As a child, Ruddy suffered from a rare lung condition. In an October 2021 profile by the Northern Rivers Review, the contemporary artist described his illness, saying:
My lungs would haemorrhage, leaving me anaemic and short of breath.
He added:
It slowed me down and put me into a strange euphoric state. As a result I learnt to sit and observe.
It’s unknown if that lung condition followed Ruddy into adulthood.
Who was Craig Ruddy’s Partner?
Ruddy had been in a relationship with his partner, Roberto Meza Mont, for over 20 years.
Roberto, who is a quarter Chinese, is an actor and director, best known for Candy (2006) and Eugenio en el paraiso (2010). The two were described as Northern Rivers much-loved powerhouse couple.
