Richard Lewer

[gentle music] Welcome to In the Studio, a series by Shepherd and Art Museum where we step inside artists' working spaces and explore how their ideas, work, and careers have taken shape.

In this episode, SAM artistic director Danny Lacy visits Richard Lewer at his temporary studio at Melbourne's Abbotsford Convent.

Richard is a multidisciplinary artist working across a range of mediums, including painting, drawing, and animation.

His work explores the people and experiences that shape our world, often bringing difficult subjects and deeply personal stories into focus.

Richard reflects on spending time with her on country, watching her work, and how those experiences shaped his portrait.

You can see Richard's portrait of Ilawonte at SAM, where it's currently on display as part of the Archibald Prize 2026 touring exhibition.

Here's Danny Lacy in conversation with Richard Lewer.

[gentle music] Richard, we're recording in your temporary studio, uh, at the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne.