Archibald prize winner Craig Ruddy has returned to ignite our conscious minds with his latest series of empowering portraiture.In this new series entitled “Awakening Spirit”, the artist continues his tribute to the Traditional Custodians of the land. The Recognition of Australian Indigenous People and Culture is a continued theme explored by Ruddy and has permeated the narrative of his past work and exhibitions.
In “Awakening Spirit” Ruddy acknowledges the Indigenous Australians that continue to remain invisible. These new portraits depict the faces of the nameless, the unknown, the survivors.These works aim to represent the voices that have gone unheard as well as those still present that are continuing to fight for their human rights. It is a work of recognition as to the resilience of a people, who maintain their cultural connection & sovereign responsibility to look after country, despite the great challenge of upholding their heritage in the face of continued colonisation and industrialisation.