Richard Lewer wins 2026 Archibald Prize

Selected from 1,034 entries and hung alongside fifty-eight other finalists at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Lewer’s painting was made following time spent on Country with Ken in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia. Late last year, Lewer travelled to Amata to work alongside Ken at her art centre, Tjala Arts. The two had known one another for years through shared exhibitions, but the time on Country deepened Lewer’s understanding of the responsibilities Ken carries to kin, community and culture — conversations that ranged from family and loss to the protection of fragile knowledge.

The portrait renders Ken life-size against a yellow ochre ground that evokes the warmth and light of her Country. Her clothing is bright, flecks of paint on her arm acknowledging her as a working artist momentarily stepped away from the studio. Ken — also a finalist in the 2026 Wynne Prize — is described by Lewer as carrying a “quiet authority”, her own practice informed by the walawuru tjukurpa (story of the eagles), with its themes of care, protection and resilience for women and children.

“I am really proud, both for Iluwanti and for myself,” Lewer said following the announcement. “I feel deeply humbled to have won the Archibald Prize, and especially happy that this recognition brings a spotlight to Iluwanti, which was always my intention with this portrait. I hope this work recognises her role as a healer, artist and custodian of the knowledge she carries and so generously shares.”

Art Gallery of New South Wales director Maud Page described Lewer’s practice as instinctual but masterfully controlled. “He presents Iluwanti Ken as if she’s emerging out of the ochre, with no conventional perspective, yet her presence as both an artist, healer and matriarch is powerfully realised. Her eyes are particularly striking — her gaze is direct and conveys her strength and warmth.”

Born in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1970 and based in Naarm/Melbourne since 1996, Lewer is a six-time Archibald finalist (2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025 and 2026). He studied at the Elam School of Fine Arts in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland and the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, and has previously been awarded the Basil Sellers Art Prize (2016), the Blake Prize (2014) and the Wallace Art Award (2008), among others. His practice spans painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and video, and his work is held in major public and private collections including the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The Archibald carries prize money of $100,000.

The win caps a remarkable run on both sides of the Tasman for Lewer, who recently presented Breathe In Breathe Out, a compendium of fifty-two paintings, with Suite Gallery at the Aotearoa Art Fair. His current exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia, Steve — an animated film and painting series built from thousands of hand-painted frames, following a family coming to terms with a dementia diagnosis — runs in Canberra until 12 July before touring regional Australian galleries for three years.

Richard Lewer is featured in the current issue of Art Collector.

The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2026 is currently showing at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Gadigal/Sydney.