Archibald-winning artist Craig Ruddy dies from COVID-19

Five time Archibald Prize finalist, painter Craig Ruddy has died from coronavirus complications.

6 Jan 2022

Gina Fairley

Artist Craig Ruddy with writer Bruce Pascoe in from of portrait painting.

Visual Arts

Ruddy’s portrait of writer Bruce Pascoe was an Archibald finalist in 2020. Image Facebook Craig Ruddy

Byron Bay Hinterland artist Craig Ruddy has died this week at age 53 from complications due to COVID-19. He had tested positive to the virus a few weeks ago.

Ruddy had a free expressive style of painting and drawing, favouring over-scale dramatic portraits and figuration, as well as rich abstract landscapes.

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Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's National Visual Arts Editor. For a decade she worked as a freelance writer and curator across Southeast Asia and was previously the Regional Contributing Editor for Hong Kong based magazines Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. Prior to writing she worked as an arts manager in America and Australia for 14 years, including the regional gallery, biennale and commercial sectors. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW. Twitter: @ginafairley Instagram: fairleygina