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Artist Michael Zavros wins Archibald Prize People's Choice Award for portrait of Alex Ryvchin

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Artist Michael Zavros won the 2026 Archibald Prize People's Choice Award for his portrait of author Alex Ryvchin.
  • The award, voted by visitors, recognized Zavros's work for connecting with a large audience.
  • Zavros stated the portrait aimed to capture Ryvchin's passionate advocacy and leadership, particularly in the wake of the October 7th attacks and the Bondi attack.

Artist Michael Zavros has secured the People's Choice Award at the 2026 Archibald Prize for his compelling portrait of author and Jewish advocate Alex Ryvchin. The award, which comes with a $5,000 prize, is determined by public vote, with a record 45,769 visitors casting their ballots this year.

I'm deeply grateful that this portrait has connected with so many people.

— Michael ZavrosAccepting the People's Choice Award.

Zavros expressed his deep gratitude for the audience's connection with his work, calling the acknowledgement "genuinely humbling." In his artist statement, he explained that he was moved by Ryvchin's public commentary following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent Bondi attack. Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, spoke passionately about the pain within his community and his fears for the nation's future.

He spoke passionately about the pain in his community and the changes he feared would emerge in our nation.

— Michael ZavrosDescribing his inspiration for the portrait of Alex Ryvchin.

The artist, who recently discovered his own Jewish heritage, saw Ryvchin as a figure of leadership during challenging times. "Alex again showed the kind of leadership that many Australians were searching for," Zavros remarked in his acceptance speech. He also emphasized a shared sense of belonging and unity, noting that while divisions are often easier to focus on, common ground is far more powerful. Zavros highlighted his own background as the child of migrants from Cyprus and Ryvchin's family's migration from Ukraine as refugees.

Alex again showed the kind of leadership that many Australians were searching for.

— Michael ZavrosCommenting on Ryvchin's role in the community.

Zavros's portrait of Ryvchin was among 59 finalists in this year's Archibald Prize. The exhibition, which also includes the main Archibald Prize, Wynne Prize, and Sulman Prize, runs until August 16 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This People's Choice Award adds to a series of accolades for Zavros and highlights the significant public engagement with the portraits on display.

What unites us is so much more powerful that was divides us, though it's easier to focus on the latter.

— Michael ZavrosReflecting on shared experiences and unity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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