Richard Lewer has been awarded the 2026 Archibald Prize for his striking portrait of Iluwanti Ken, a senior artist and traditional healer from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in Australia. The portrait, created using synthetic polymer paint on canvas, features a vibrant yellow ochre background that enhances Ken's presence, described by Lewer as embodying a “quiet authority.” Lewer spent time at Ken’s art centre, Tjala Arts, to understand her cultural responsibilities, which are reflected in her own artwork depicting stories of her father's Country. The announcement took place at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where Ken was present and radiated warmth akin to her portrayal in the painting. Additionally, Gaypalani Waṉambi won the Wynne Prize for her etching on metal, celebrating ancestral themes, while Lucy Culliton received the Sulman Prize for her painting of her rescue greyhound, Toolah. These awards highlight the rich diversity and cultural significance of contemporary Australian art.