Craig Ruddy, who won Archibald with David Gulpilil portrait, dies of Covid

Archibald winner Craig Ruddy has died of Covid aged 53, just weeks after actor David Gulpilil, the subject of his prize-winning piece, died.

Former Archibald winner Craig Ruddy has died of Covid aged 53, just weeks after the subject of his prize-winning piece David Gulpilil died.

The artist originally from Ku-ring-gai died in his boyfriend Roberto Meza Mont’s arms at their Byron Bay home on Tuesday night.

Archibald winner Craig Ruddy. Picture: Instagram

Ruddy with his partner Roberto. Picture: Instagram

“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 Facebook page read.

“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.”

Ruddy suffered from a life-threatening illness as a child which forced him to spend time painting.

Craig Ruddy's 2004 Archibald Prize winning portrait.

David Gulpilil and Craig Ruddy.

In the 1980s he studied design and fashion and later worked as a landscape gardener, designer and art director.

It was at this time Ruddy moved into Tamarama, where his apartment become a hotspot for Sydney’s most inspired creatives.

Ruddy painting his Archibald winning picture of David Gulpilil. Picture: Instagram

In 2004, Ruddy won the Archibald with his extraordinary portrait of actor David Gulpilil. Although another artists challenged that the portrait was really a drawing, the NSW Supreme Court, having heard evidence that some brushstrokes were used, decided it was a painting.

Ruddy won the People’s Choice in the Archibald Price in 2010 for his piece on Aboriginal director Warwick Thornton.

His website’s biography said Ruddy then used this success to travel Europe and South America for several years.

“In 2015, Craig Ruddy felt a strong pull to once again reconnect to nature and the land which had so greatly influenced his work,” his bio reads.

“He moved back to Australia to build a studio in the Byron Hinterland nestled in the hilltops and surrounded by bushland where he feels most at home and inspired.

“Since then, Ruddy has focused his energies on creating a beautiful home environment with his partner by immersing himself in the garden and studio.”

Gulpilil was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2017 and died at his home in Murray Bridge, South Australia, on November 29.
After a period of mourning, his indigenous community gave permission for his name and image to be used so his legacy to Australia cinema and culture could be acknowledged.