Richard Lewer’s exhibition Steve is currently showing at the National Gallery of Australia until July 2026. Acquired for the permanent NGA collection, the body of work gently explores a family coming to terms with a dementia diagnosis.
An animated film comprising thousands of paintings tells the story of Steve and his family as they cope with the impact of his illness and the changes to their lives.
As a counterpoint, paintings of memories drawn from Richard’s own life are shown beside the film. Made on tabletops, the table is understood as a site around which life’s most beautiful, mundane and challenging moments occur. It’s here that dinners are held, bills are paid, and funerals are arranged.
Richard Lewer is a visual storyteller recognised for works that focus on the complexities of the human condition. With a longstanding interest in the relationship between art and health, Steve suggests memory as a phenomenon that is both fragile and inherently mysterious.
Following its presentation at the National Gallery, Richard Lewer: Steve will tour nationally.
National Gallery of Australia
29 Nov 2025 – 12 Jul 2026
Level 2, Gallery 24
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