As a creative, I recall the first time I interacted with Craig's work, time stopping as I looked and felt the face of Bruce Pascoe peering out at me, moving me deeply with his immense presence, captured brilliantly by Craig. He was an artist well known and loved by the Northern Rivers community, and yesterday died in the arms of his partner, Roberto Meza Mont, with his Facebook Page receiving tributes from far and wide.

Craig Ruddy, aged 53, passed away from Covid complications at his Byron Bay home, with Roberto his partner, who along with twin sister Kelli O'Shannassy and the rest of his family, in a statement to the media, expressed their shock. He had formerly suffered as a child from a rare respiratory condition, where his lungs would sporadically haemorrhage and which he said on social media prior to passing "allowed him to enter a space of sitting with what was, and enter a higher state of consciousness," which inspired some of his later works also.

Michael Lyon, Byron Shire Mayor and a good friend and neighbour of Craig's told news outlets that he was "shocked and devastated to find out the news today", as did many others in the community, posting across his page, community boards and their own walls, tributes honouring his exceptional work and dedication to both art and activism, on multiple occasions depicting First Nations faces in his art, as well as sentiments celebrating the connection and love between himself and his beloved partner, Roberto.

Kezia Geddes, Curator of The Lismore Regional Gallery has spoken to us about Craig's passing, "We are very sad to hear of Craig Ruddy’s passing. His portraits show his incredible depth of spirit and ability to see this in others. Our thoughts are with his partner, family, and friends. Many people knew Craig Ruddy through his artwork. We are shaken and feeling the sorrow of his untimely death".

Her last sentiments reflecting the feelings of so many creatives in the region "It is very sad news".