Archibald Prize Winner Richard Lewer Is Taking Over James St This October

For those who adore art, this one’s for you. Brisbane’s James St is turning into an open-air gallery this October, with 2026 Archibald Prize winner Richard Lewer commissioned to document the neighbourhood through his distinctive observational drawings. In partnership with Jan Murphy Gallery, James St will unveil the Melbourne-based artist’s latest project on Thursday 29 October, with a public art trail and a special evening of art, conversation and a three-course dinner at Harveys Bar + Bistro. And the best part? You’re invited.

A closer look at James St

Known for his observational approach to art, Lewer has turned his attention to the James St neighbourhood, documenting the passing conversations, personalities, memories and seemingly ordinary moments that often go unnoticed. Through a series of instinctive drawings, the artist offers his own perspective on everyday life, capturing everything from humour and human encounters to landscapes and moments of beauty found in the mundane. Individually, each drawing captures a single observation, but together, they form a larger visual portrait of the neighbourhood and its community.

From 29 October to 12 November, selected works from the commission will appear across the shopfront windows of participating James St retailers, creating a public art trail throughout the precinct. The project forms part of Art on James, an initiative that has brought contemporary art beyond traditional gallery walls since 2011, previously showcasing works by leading Australian artists including Ben Quilty, Richard Bell, Vernon Ah Kee and Dale Harding.

Dinner with an Archibald Prize winner

To celebrate the unveiling, James St is hosting a special evening with Lewer on Thursday 29 October, with tickets available to the public. The night begins at 5pm with an exclusive after-hours viewing of the artist’s latest solo exhibition, Don’t Forget to Breathe, at Jan Murphy Gallery, before guests make their way to Harveys Bar + Bistro at 6.30pm for a bespoke three-course dinner.

Over dinner, Lewer will be joined in conversation by Dr Lisa Slade, Hugh Ramsay Chair of Australian Art History at the University of Melbourne, to discuss the development of his latest exhibition, his fascination with the everyday and the inspiration behind his James St commission. Exploring the strange, relentless experience of paying attention to the world around us, Don’t Forget to Breathe offers an insight into the same observational approach that informs his latest project for the precinct.

With tickets priced at $175 per person, it’s a rare opportunity to hear directly from an Archibald Prize-winning artist, discover the stories behind his work and enjoy an evening of art and dining in the heart of James St. And if you can’t make the dinner, the public art trail offers another opportunity to experience his latest commission, with works on display throughout the precinct until 12 November.

The details

What: Art on James presents An Evening with Richard Lewer When: Thursday 29 October 2026, 5pm gallery preview, followed by dinner at 6.30pm Where: Jan Murphy Gallery and Harveys Bar + Bistro, James St, Fortitude Valley Tickets: $175 per person Art trail: 29 October – 12 November 2026 Bookings: Visit James St