Overview
- Michael Zavros was announced as the 2026 Archibald Prize ANZ People’s Choice winner on Thursday after about 45,769 ballots were cast and received the $5,000 prize.
- The winning painting, titled Alex with his tefillin in the sea, shows Alex Ryvchin standing in shallow water with tefillin wrapped on his arm, a small leather box and straps used in Jewish prayer.
- Zavros said he made reference photos with Ryvchin weeks after the Dec. 14, 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack and that Ryvchin’s public leadership after the attack inspired the portrait.
- In an emotional acceptance speech at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Zavros said the portrait connected with many visitors and argued that the result reflected Australians’ decency rather than prejudice.
- The painting will remain on display at AGNSW through the exhibition run to Aug. 16, 2026, and coverage has focused on themes of identity, communal grief and how public art can shape national conversations.