Grounding down with poppy seeds

Poppy Seeds manifested as a reactive collection to Ruddy’s bitter-sweet winning of the Archibald in 2004. His alluring portrait, ‘Two Worlds’, featuring David Gulpilil was the second artwork to ever win both the Archibald and the People’s Choice award in the 42 year history of the Prize. Despite this encouraging reception, a fellow artist challenged it’s eligibility on the grounds that it was not officially a ‘painting’, resulting in a gruelling and extensive Court Case which was finally dissolved.

This bipolar response however, evoked an extremely emotional period where Ruddy fluctuated between the highs of being recognised as a talented artist in this prestigious award, and the lows of self doubt and questioning the entire institution and politics of art itself. This wild uncertainty is a major theme throughout the entire collection of Poppy Seeds with the untamed use of line and multiple layers of texture behind each of the protagonists, illustrating the complexities and dichotomies that brew beneath face value. Ruddy commented that “the paintings are like cameos of the moments I have experienced this year. They are small pieces of a puzzle which is my story, my journey.”

Ruddy found solace in getting back to basics. He took a lot of time in solitude, solidifying his practice by experimenting with texture, different techniques, and even painting with his left hand in order to come to better terms with his own identity as an artist. Poppy Seeds is a reflection of Ruddy’s professional growth; similar to the blossoming flower, whose petals must briefly decay to nourish its sprouting seeds and promote new life.