Michael Zavros Wins Archibald People's Choice for Portrait of Jewish Leader Alex Ryvchin
Michael Zavros has received the People’s Choice Award for the 2026 Archibald Prize for his portrait of Alex Ryvchin, who is the co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. Titled 'Alex with his tefillin in the sea,' the artwork was finished shortly after the Bondi terror attack in 2026. Zavros mentioned that he admires Ryvchin’s leadership and found a notable resemblance to him as inspirations for the piece. The portrait includes a tefillin, which is an important Jewish ritual object, honoring a friend of Ryvchin who lost his life at Bondi. An impressive 45,769 votes were cast. Additionally, Richard Lewer won the $100,000 Archibald Prize for his portrait of Iluwanti Ken. The exhibition runs at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until August 16 before it goes on a regional tour.
Key facts
- Michael Zavros won the 2026 Archibald People's Choice Award.
- The portrait depicts Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
- Title: 'Alex with his tefillin in the sea'.
- Created weeks after the Bondi terror attack.
- 45,769 votes cast, a record high.
- Prize value: $5,000.
- Richard Lewer won the main Archibald Prize for portrait of Iluwanti Ken.
- Exhibition at Art Gallery of New South Wales until 16 August.
Entities
Artists
- Michael Zavros
- Alex Ryvchin
- Richard Lewer
- Iluwanti Ken
- Sean Layh
- Jacob Collins
- Gaypalani Waṉambi
- Lucy Culliton
Institutions
- Archibald Prize
- Executive Council of Australian Jewry
- Art Gallery of New South Wales
Locations
- Sydney
- Australia
- Victoria
- New South Wales