Artist Michael Zavros has won the 2026 Archibald People’s Choice Award for his portrait of Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin, with the work striking a chord with Australians for both its artistry and the story behind it.

The pair connected after friends noticed their resemblance, before Zavros painted Ryvchin during one of the most difficult periods of his life.

The portrait was created weeks after the Bondi terror attack, in which Ryvchin lost his close friend Rabbi Eli Schlanger, while he was supporting grieving families and speaking out against rising antisemitism.

Featuring tefillin, a significant symbol of Jewish faith, the portrait captures both Ryvchin’s likeness and the emotions he carried at the time.

Ryvchin said the experience was “almost a return to life” after weeks of turmoil and praised Zavros for capturing more than just his appearance.

He hopes the People’s Choice Award represents “some form of validation and acceptance” for Australia’s Jewish community.

Joking about where the portrait will hang, Ryvchin said: “I don’t know if my pool room is big enough… it would certainly improve the room.”

–with Samantha Butler

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