Who is Richard Lewer? Melbourne-based artist wins Archibald Prize 2026 with powerful portrait of Pitjantjatjara elder Iluwanti Ken

Richard Lewer is a Melbourne-based contemporary artist known for his emotionally powerful paintings and storytelling style. Originally from New Zealand, Lewer has built a strong reputation in Australia’s art scene through his work, which often explores personal experiences, history and human connections. In 2026, he received critical acclaim after winning the prestigious Archibald Prize for his striking portrait of fellow artist Iluwanti Ken. The portrait was praised for its emotional depth and honesty. Lewer’s victory further cemented his position as one of Australia’s leading portrait artists and highlighted the importance of Indigenous representation in contemporary art.

Lewer, a six-time finalist for the Archibald Prize, received the A$100,000 prize for his paint-on-synthetic polymer canvas portrait of Ken, a respected Pitjantjatjara elder, senior artist and ngangkari, or traditional healer, according to Art Forum. Lewer was selected as one of 59 finalists from a total of 1,034 applications for this year’s Archibald Prize. Other finalists included portraits featuring Bondi rescue hero Ahmed Al Ahmed, Sam Mostyn and ABC journalist Virginia Trioli from Creative Types.

Ken, who is also this year’s finalist, according to ABC News Wynne Award -Works at Tjala Arts in Amata in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Territory of South Australia. While creating the portrait, Lewer spent a week at Country with Ken, his family and his community, working in extreme heat that reached almost 47 degrees Celsius.

“I’m a bit of a freckled guy, so I burn easily,” Lewer told ABC Arts.

“It was very humbling to shine a light on Iluwanti Ken… People should get to know him, he is an incredible artist.
“Even though she is quite small, she has a huge personality, is very funny and very warm,” he added.

Lewer’s portrait of Ken became only the fifth painting featuring a First Nations person to win the Archibald Prize in its 105-year history. The work now joins previous winning portraits of artist Karla Dickens, AFL star Adam Goodes, musician Gurrumul and actor David Gulpilil.

Speaking after receiving the award Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) Lewer said he was excited to be there and said the Archibald victory was extremely meaningful to him.

“I have acquired a great fortune and I am a lucky man to paint Iluwanti,” he said, as quoted by ABC News.

“I’ve been wanting this for a while, and Iluwanti, it’s a pleasure that you took the time to take me to your country and give me the opportunity to paint you.”

Gaypalani Wanambi received the A$50,000 Wynne Prize for The Wanambi Tree, an abstract work done in spray paint on steel. The prize is awarded annually to an outstanding landscape painting or figurative sculpture inspired by Australian landscapes.

Meanwhile, Lucy Culliton received the A$40,000 Sulman Prize for her oil on canvas portrait Toolah, Artist Model, featuring one of her seven greyhounds. The Sulman Award recognizes excellence in genre painting, subject painting or mural art.