Michael Zavros has won the People's Choice Award for the 2026 Archibald Prize with his portrait of author and Jewish advocate Alex Ryvchin. The award, valued at $5,000, was decided by a record 45,769 visitors who voted for their favorite artwork.

In his acceptance speech, Zavros described the recognition from the public as "genuinely humbling" and expressed gratitude that his portrait had connected with so many people. He noted that Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, had appeared frequently in the media following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel, speaking passionately about the pain in his community and the societal changes he feared might arise.

Zavros, who recently discovered his own Jewish heritage, also saw Ryvchin in the media after the December Bondi attack. He said, "Alex again showed the kind of leadership that many Australians were searching for" in the wake of that event. Zavros added that he found common ground with Ryvchin, who, like him, is a father of three.

The portrait was praised for its evocative narrative setting, with one commentator noting, "He works with assuredness, able to not only render a subject in his total likeness, but also position him within an evocative narrative setting, where the very ripples of water on the sand convey as much as the twist of Alex's body."

The People's Choice Award has been presented since 1988. Recent winners include Loribelle Spirovski for her finger-painted portrait of musician William Barton (2026), Angus McDonald for his portrait of academic Marcia Langton (2024), and Jaq Grantford for her portrait of actor Noni Hazlehurst (2023).

Zavros also emphasized his belief that "overwhelmingly, I don't believe Australians are racist. I don't believe we are homophobic and I don't believe we are anti-Semitic. Those things have no place in the country we aspire to be."