Lisa Wright Named the Winner of the AXA Art Prize UK 2026

London - July 9, 2026

AXA XL is pleased to name Lisa Wright as the recipient of the AXA Art Prize UK 2026. Ms. Wright's evocative painting, titled "In the Night Garden," was selected from the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) 2026 Summer Exhibition, earning her the prestigious £10,000 award.

Ms. Wright's artwork impressed the judging panel with its compelling exploration of the human figure. The work is currently on display at the RA Summer Exhibition in London, where it will be showcased until August 23rd.

The judging panel for this year's prize included Jennifer Schipf, Global Chief Underwriting Officer for Fine Art & Specie at AXA XL; David Remfry, RA and Mark Hampson, Head of Material Processes at the RA Schools.

Jennifer Schipf remarked, "Lisa's captivating painting, In the Night Garden, exemplifies resilience, imagination, and the transformative spirit of art. Her 28 years of dedicated work reminds us of the enduring power of artistic vision and its vital role in shaping the future of the arts and culture."

Sean McGovern, CEO of UK & Lloyds Market at AXA XL, added, "Supporting artistic excellence remains a cornerstone of our commitment to the cultural sector. We're proud to partner with the RA to support this vibrant community that inspires and enriches our cultural landscape.

Building on AXA XL's longstanding tradition of recognizing outstanding artists in the UK, the AXA Art Prize UK reflects our dedication to nurturing artistic talent while honoring our heritage of fine art protection. This initiative complements our global efforts, including the AXA Art Prize US to support artists at every stage of their careers.

About the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

One of the founding principles of the Royal Academy of Arts was to "mount an annual exhibition open to all artists of distinguished merit" to finance the training of young artists in the Royal Academy Schools. The Summer Exhibition has been held every year without interruption since 1769 and continues to play a significant part in raising funds to finance the students of the RA Schools. The RA Schools is the longest established art school in the UK and offers the only free three-year postgraduate programme in Europe.

As the world's largest open submission contemporary art show, the Summer Exhibition provides a unique platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their works to an international audience, comprising a range of media from painting and printmaking to photography, sculpture, architecture and film. Royal Academicians are automatically entitled to submit up to six works to the Summer Exhibition and the rest of the exhibition features work by those invited by the committee and external entrants.

The Summer Exhibition 2026 runs from 16 June - 23 August 2026.

About the Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts was founded by King George III in 1768. It has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to be a clear, strong voice for art and artists. Its public programme promotes the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate. The Royal Academy is an independent charity. It does not receive revenue funding from the government so is reliant upon the support of its visitors, donors, sponsors, patrons and loyal Friends. https://www.royalacademy.org.uk

About AXA XL

AXA XL, a division of AXA, is one of the largest fine art insurers in the world. Our fine arts professionals have built a solid foundation based on years of industry experience in understanding the value, both financial and sentimental, when it comes to safeguarding works of art, jewelry, and specie. With AXA XL's global footprint that includes over 1,200 highly experienced, locally empowered claims professionals managing covered claims in more than 200 countries and territories.

For complete details on the competition, visit https://www.axaxl.com/axa-art-prize

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ABOUT AXA XL¹
AXA XL provides insurance and risk management products and services for mid-sized companies through to large multinationals, and reinsurance solutions to insurance companies globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com.

ABOUT AXA XL INSURANCE¹
AXA XL Insurance offers property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty insurance solutions to mid-sized companies through to large multinationals globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com.

¹AXA XL is a division of AXA Group providing products and services through four business groups: AXA XL Insurance, AXA XL Reinsurance, AXA XL Art & Lifestyle and AXA XL Risk Consulting.