Photo: Winning artwork for the 2026 Koori Mail Indigenous Art Award by Quandamooka & Kullilli artist Kieron Anderson, Medicine man 2026. Photo: Elijah Loveday
The Koori Mail Indigenous Art Award, one of Australia’s most significant showcases of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, has announced its 2026 winners in Lismore. Kieron Anderson won the $20,000 Major Award and Levi Roberts took out the inaugural $3000 Youth Award.
The biennial award has grown into a nationally recognised platform for contemporary Indigenous art, attracting artists from across Australia and placing Lismore at the centre of a major celebration of First Nations creativity, culture and storytelling. Presented by the Lismore Regional Gallery, the Award receives major support from Koori Mail and is also supported by Hurford Hardwood, Friends of Lismore Regional Gallery and Lismore City Council.
This year’s award drew an exceptional field of entries from established and emerging artists working across painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics, moving image and fibre art, highlighting the depth and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artistic practice.
Kieron Anderson said he was incredibly honoured and humbled to win the 2026 Koori Mail Indigenous Art Prize.
“As a Quandamooka man, my practice is deeply rooted in Country, my Ancestors, my family and the generations of cultural knowledge that have shaped who I am,” he said.
“I see my Medicine man artwork as an extension of the stories and knowledge that have been passed down to me. To have this work recognised is incredibly meaningful. I don’t see this as an individual achievement, but as recognition of the strength of our Ancestors, our culture and the stories that continue to live through us.”
Lismore Regional Gallery Acting Director Susi Muddiman OAM said the calibre of this year’s finalists reflected the growing national significance of the award.
“The quality of work presented in this year’s exhibition has been extraordinary and demonstrates the strength, diversity and innovation of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art being created across Australia,” Ms Muddiman said.
“To welcome artists from across the country to exhibit in Lismore reinforces the important role this award plays in providing a national platform for First Nations artists while bringing nationally significant cultural experiences to regional audiences.”
Koori Mail Cultural Lead Trevor Kapeen said the award continued to create meaningful opportunities for First Nations artists to share their stories and perspectives with audiences across Australia.
“Every Koori Mail Indigenous Art Award brings together an extraordinary collection of First Nations artistic talent,” Mr Kapeen said.
“We congratulate this year’s winners and finalists and thank every artist who has contributed to making this exhibition such a powerful and inspiring showcase of contemporary Indigenous art.”
Speaking at the Opening of the award, Councillor Jasmine Knight-Smith praised the Gallery as being much more than an exhibition space.
“As a Councillor, I am proud of Lismore Regional Gallery and the important role it plays in our community and across the region. The Gallery is a vital regional asset, one that brings people together and helps shape the cultural identity of our region.”
The winning works form part of the 2026 Koori Mail Indigenous Art Award exhibition, now on display at Lismore Regional Gallery until 14 February 2027.
Featuring works from finalists across Australia, the exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to experience a nationally significant collection of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the heart of regional New South Wales.
We encourage all to come down to the Lismore Regional Gallery to view the finalists’ exhibition, with many of the artworks on display available for purchase, offering a unique opportunity to collect contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from leading and emerging artists from across Australia.
Exhibition Details
2026 Koori Mail Indigenous Art Award Exhibition
Dates: 7 November 2026 to 14 February 2027
Location: Lismore Regional Gallery, 11 Rural Street, Lismore
Entry: Free
