Richard Lewer Wins Archibald Prize 2026 for Portrait of Pitjantjatjara Elder Iluwanti Ken

These three exhibitions are held together every year at the same gallery.

FAQ Section

Q1: Who won the Archibald Prize 2026?
Richard Lewer, an artist from Melbourne.

Q2: What is the subject of the winning portrait?
Iluwanti Ken, a Pitjantjatjara Elder, senior artist, and traditional healer (ngangkari).

Q3: How much prize money does the winner get?
$100,000 (Australian dollars).

Q4: How many entries were there in 2026?
1,034 entries.

Q5: Where is the Archibald Prize exhibition held?
At the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney.

Q6: When did the exhibition open in 2026?
On 9 May 2026. It runs until 16 August 2026.

Q7: In which year was the Archibald Prize first awarded?
In 1921.

Q8: What is a ngangkari?
A traditional healer from Central Australia, especially among the Pitjantjatjara people.

Exam-Focused Points

• Prize name:  Archibald Prize

• Year won:  2026

• Winner:  Richard Lewer (Melbourne-based artist)

• Winning work:  Portrait of Iluwanti Ken

• Subject:  Pitjantjatjara Elder, senior artist, ngangkari (traditional healer)

• Cash prize:  $100,000

• Total entries:  1,034

• First awarded:  1921

• Administered by:  Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney

• Frequency:  Annual

• Prize type:  Portrait painting

• Richard Lewer’s finalist years:  2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025, 2026 (winner)

• Exhibition dates:  9 May 2026 to 16 August 2026

• Number of finalist works in 2026:  59

• Related prizes:  Wynne Prize (landscape/figure sculpture), Sulman Prize (subject painting/genre/murals)

• APY Lands:  A?angu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, South Australia