Craig Ruddy

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Craig Ruddy (born August 8 1968, Forestville, Sydney) is an Australian artist.

In 2004 Ruddy won the Archibald Prize for his charcoal drawing of David Gulpilil entitled Two Worlds.[1] The portrait of the Aboriginal actor won both the $35,000 Archibald portrait prize and the People's Choice Award in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Another artist, Tony Johansen, took legal action against the Art Gallery of NSW Trust over the portrait. Johansen argued that because Ruddy predominantly used charcoal in his work, it was a drawing, not a painting, and therefore was ineligible for the prize. In June 2006 the NSW Supreme Court dismissed Johansen's claim.

After winning the Archibald Prize he developed Poppy Seeds, a series of portraits, nudes and self studies that was exhibited in November 2004. The series addressed the tall poppy syndrome that often accompanies success in Australia.

His diptych Self-portrait - into the box was one of the 2006 Archibald Prize finalists.

In August 2006 Ruddy's Two Worlds sold to a private collector at the Sotheby's auction in Sydney for $312,000. It had been valued at between $150,000 and $180,000.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Archibald Prize winners

[edit] External links

Awards
Preceded by
Geoffrey Dyer
Archibald Prize
2004
for David Gulpilil, Two Worlds
Succeeded by
John Olsen
Persondata
NAME Ruddy, Craig
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Australian artist
DATE OF BIRTH August 8 1968
PLACE OF BIRTH Forestville, Sydney
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH