Archibald Prize 2026 awarded to Richard Lewer

The Archibald Prize 2026 was awarded on 8 May 2026 to Melbourne-based artist Richard Lewer for a portrait of Pitjantjatjara Elder Iluwanti Ken. The prize carried a cash award of $100,000 and the winning work was selected from 1,034 entries.

Archibald Prize

The Archibald Prize is an Australian portraiture award established in 1921 and administered by the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney. It is one of Australia’s best-known art prizes and is awarded annually for portrait painting.

Richard Lewer and the winning portrait

Richard Lewer is a six-time Archibald finalist, with nominations in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025 and 2026. His 2026 portrait depicts Iluwanti Ken, who is identified as a Pitjantjatjara Elder, senior artist and ngangkari, a term used for a traditional healer in Central Australia.

Exhibition and finalist works

The 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition opened to the public on 9 May 2026 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The exhibition includes 59 finalist works and runs until 16 August 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Archibald Prize was first awarded in 1921.
• The prize is linked to portrait painting in Australia.
• The Art Gallery of New South Wales is located in Sydney.
• The Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands are in South Australia.

Related terms

The Wynne Prize is an Australian art prize for landscape painting and figure sculpture. The Sulman Prize is an Australian art prize for subject painting, genre painting and mural projects.