ARCHIBALD WINNER 2004
Craig Ruddy David Gulpilil, two worlds
Craig Ruddy has won the 2004 Archibald Prize for his portrait David Gulpilil, two worlds. The Archibald Prize is now in its 83rd year. Craig Ruddy receives a prize of $35,000.
Gulpilil is one of Australia's leading Aboriginal actors. Born in Arnhem Land in 1953, he grew up as a member of the Mandalpingu Tribe in the area his ancestors have inhabited for thousands of years. When he was 16 he was cast in the landmark Australian film Walkabout. Gulpilil has since achieved international fame in movies such as The Last Wave, Storm Boy, Crocodile Dundee, Rabbit Proof Fence and The Tracker. Between films he returns to Arnhem Land and his traditional lifestyle. His solo show Gulpilil, about his extraordinary life, premiered at the 2004 Adelaide Festival to rave reviews and will come to Belvoir Street Theatre in Sydney in October.
'... David is a man who crosses the lines that still divide two contrasting worlds' says Craig Ruddy. 'One is an infinite world of spiritual connection with the land and universe as a whole, and the other a materialistic conformation of western civilisation. Simplicities and complexities infiltrate both worlds and David seems to strike a balance.'
Ruddy has been contemplating painting such a portrait for some time. 'The bold, free spirited line work of the charcoal and graphite contrast with the structured and refined opulence of the colonial English wallpaper. I hope that the work represents the energy and spirituality that I experienced in his presence ... '
The wallpaper included as the background for this painting - a William Morris design from the Florence Broadhurst Collection - is the same as that used in the dining room at Admiralty House.
Ruddy has focused seriously on painting full time for the past three years. He had solo exhibitions at the Sydney Fringe Festival in 2002 and at Graphis Gallery in 2003. He has also taken part in several group shows at Dank Street Studio. This is the first time he has been hung in the Archibald Prize, though he had a Self portrait in last year’s Salon des Refusés.
THE ARCHIBALD, WYNNE, SULMAN PRIZES AND THE
CITIGROUP PRIVATE BANK AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE
Saturday 27 March to Sunday 16 May 2004
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney 2000
Telephone (02) 9225 1744 or national tollfree 1800 679 278
MEDIA INFORMATION
Jan Batten
Telephone(02) 9225 1791 or 0418 279 348
Email janb@ag.nsw.gov.au | 
