Archibald Prize 2026 Winner Richard Lewer has won Australia’s famous portrait painting award for his artwork featuring Pitjantjatjara Elder Iluwanti Ken. The award was announced on 8 May 2026 and carried a cash prize of $100,000. His painting was selected from 1,034 entries submitted by artists from across Australia.

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What is the Archibald Prize?

The Archibald Prize is one of Australia’s most popular art awards. It was first started in 1921 and is managed by the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney. The prize is given every year for the best portrait painting.

Artists from different parts of Australia take part in this competition. The award is well known for celebrating important personalities through portrait art.

Archibald Prize 2026 Winner Richard Lewer

Richard Lewer is a Melbourne-based artist and a regular finalist in the Archibald Prize. He has been selected as a finalist six times in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025 and 2026.

His winning portrait in 2026 features Iluwanti Ken, a respected Pitjantjatjara Elder, senior artist and ngangkari. In Central Australia, the word ngangkari refers to a traditional healer.

The portrait was praised for showing the strength, culture and identity of Iluwanti Ken through simple but powerful artwork.

About Iluwanti Ken

Iluwanti Ken belongs to the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in South Australia. She is known for her contribution to Indigenous culture and traditional healing practices.

Her role as a senior artist and community elder has made her an important cultural figure in Australia. The portrait by Richard Lewer highlights her life and cultural importance.

Exhibition of Finalist Paintings

The 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition opened on 9 May 2026 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Visitors can see 59 finalist artworks during the exhibition.

The exhibition will continue until 16 August 2026 and includes paintings from some of Australia’s leading artists.

Other Australian Art Prizes

Along with the Archibald Prize, the exhibition also features the Wynne Prize and the Sulman Prize.

The Wynne Prize is awarded for landscape painting and figure sculpture. The Sulman Prize is given for subject painting, genre painting and mural projects