Craig Ruddy at Richard Martin Art
An exhibition of new works by Craig Ruddy is showing at Richard Martin Art from 29th March to 9th April. The body of work displays Craig's distinctive style of figurative work and portraiture along with a series of portraits executed with colour graffiti pen's. This vibrant and energetic series maintains Craig's expressionistic manner and spirit that he's become known for but also embodies an impressionistic quality that signifies a new fresh direction for Craig. this new series has been sent from Buenos Aires where Craig is currently living and working.
The exhibition ‘New Works’ by Craig Ruddy is showing at Richard Martin Art, 98 Holdsworth Street Woollahra, Sydney, from 29th March to 9th April 2008 www.richardmartinart.com.au
Craig Ruddy at Richard Martin Art
Craig Ruddy celebrates the uniqueness of friends and relationships in his evocative figurative exhibition ‘Polar – A dance of contrary energies’ he demonstrates his expressive and emotive free flow line work in ink and charcoal that he has become famous for.
Polar is a celebration of the opposing energies that generate life itself. “All life is made up of dual forces, polarities holding in place opposite aspects of the same central force. Masculine and feminine, day and night, activity and passivity, all life operates through these opposing forces,” says Ruddy.
Ruddy’s works are taken directly from life, not photographs and are raw expressions of a precious moment in time. In the past his figurative work and portraiture has focussed on a single person in each work. In this exhibition he works with couples and pairs for the first time, exploring the energy play between them – sometimes competing or contrary, at other times in complete harmony as if one entity.
For Ruddy, the creation of this collection has largely been a celebration of friends. Many of his subjects are people with whom he has a close personal friendship and bond. His time with his close friends is perhaps becoming increasingly important to the artist as he will soon be moving to South America to work on a new body of work. The collection also includes studies of particular subjects posing in different positions in the one work representing motion and growth, as well as exploring the different sides and personalities of a particular person and friend.
Ruddy’s works are spontaneous, raw and expressive, his mode of working ‘in the moment’ with his sitter comes through in the final works. “My perception of existence is reflected in what I see before me and my feelings and emotions are thrown onto the canvas,” says Ruddy, “I use the person in front of me as inspiration, as a guide, but I am not concerned about capturing a perfect aesthetic representation. I am more interested in capturing the energy, spirit and true essence of their unique being.”
Ruddy’s work captures and communicates something intangible and beautiful about his subjects and their relationships and celebrates everyday people and every day life. “You forget the true beauty that lies within every one of us. That’s what this work is about, celebrating that beauty and life force,” explains Ruddy.
In these works Ruddy is also allowing for more open space and sharper contrast on these large canvases than in his earlier works, perhaps allowing further reflection and a continuing story with his subjects.
“I have enjoyed working with Craig and really getting to know him as he’s an exceptional person and artist whose career I’ve been following since his very first show. I believe that in this collection Craig seems to have found a new freedom and ability to let go, working in his rich organic style with fresh passion,” says gallery owner Richard Martin.
The exhibition ‘Polar – A dance of contrary energies’ by Craig Ruddy is showing at Richard Martin Art, 98 Holdsworth Street Woollahra, Sydney, from 14th April to 2nd May 2007 www.richardmartinart.com.au