Richard Lewer Presents 51 New Paintings at Aotearoa Art Fair
At the Aotearoa Art Fair, Richard Lewer is showcasing fifty-one fresh paintings drawn from his daily news and life experiences. These small pieces, made quickly, reflect political issues, personal memories, and social commentary in a style that’s described as “over-stylised simplicity.” Among the highlights are works like Neo-Nazis Occupy Steps of Victoria's Parliament (2026), depicting a Jewish man struggling to sleep after an antisemitic event at Bondi Beach, and a Muslim woman on a bike in niqab. Lewer calls this series “a compendium” of important modern events. A Kirikiriroa/Hamilton native now in Naarm/Melbourne, he recently won the 2026 Archibald Prize. The fair will take place in May 2026, with artworks priced from $4,000 to $6,000.
Key facts
- Richard Lewer presents 51 new paintings at the Aotearoa Art Fair.
- Works respond to the artist's daily newsfeed and personal memories.
- Paintings are small-scale and executed rapidly within days.
- Subjects include Neo-Nazis Occupy Steps of Victoria’s Parliament (2026) and a Jewish man after the Bondi Beach attack.
- Lewer won the 2026 Archibald Prize for his portrait of Iluwanti Ken.
- Recent institutional exhibitions at Geelong Gallery and National Gallery of Australia.
- Works priced between $4,000 and $6,000.
- Lewer is based in Naarm/Melbourne and born in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Aotearoa Art Fair
- Geelong Gallery
- National Gallery of Australia
- Waikato Museum
- University of Auckland Centre for Art Studies
- Archibald Prize
- Sulman Prize
- Paul Guest Prize
- Basil Sellers Art Prize
- Art Collector
Locations
- Kirikiriroa/Hamilton
- New Zealand
- Naarm/Melbourne
- Australia
- Tāmāki Makaurau/Auckland
- Bondi Beach
- Victoria