Sydney Jewish Museum (SJM) has announced the acquis­i­tion of Alex with his tefillin in the sea (2026), the acclaimed portrait by leading Aus­trali­an artist Michael Zavros, which won the Archibald Prize 2026 ANZ People’s Choice award. The SJM acquis­i­tion has been made possible thanks to a generous major gift.

The large-scale hyper­real­ist oil painting depicts author, lawyer and Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Aus­trali­an Jewry, standing in the sea wearing tefillin, the tra­di­tion­al Jewish ritual prayer scrolls, box and straps. The work evokes themes of identity, belonging and con­nec­tion – and its popular choice has been widely welcomed as both healing and reas­sur­ing in a time of fractured social cohesion.

The portrait (pictured left) resonated strongly with visitors to the Archibald Prize 2026 exhib­i­tion at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where the People’s Choice this year attracted its highest ever number of voters.

Sydney Jewish Museum Board President Greg Shand AM high­lighted the cultural sig­ni­fic­ance of the acquis­i­tion and the important themes it rep­res­en­ted.

“At a time of heightened concern about antisemitism in Australia, the public response to this portrait carries par­tic­u­lar sig­ni­fic­ance. Through its thought­ful explor­a­tion of identity and community, Alex with his tefillin in the sea invites Aus­trali­ans to engage with the lived exper­i­ence of Jewish Aus­trali­ans in a deeply human way. Its selection as the People’s Choice award winner demon­strates the enduring capacity of art to build under­stand­ing between people. It is also an uplifting reflec­tion of the empathy that exists within the broad Aus­trali­an public for the values of inclusion, respect and mutual under­stand­ing that underpin our mul­ti­cul­tur­al society.”

Artist Michael Zavros was honoured that the work would now become part of a public col­lec­tion.

“This portrait began with an unex­pec­ted con­nec­tion and grew into a con­ver­sa­tion about the things that unite us. Alex and I dis­covered common ground through our shared exper­i­ences as Aus­trali­ans, fathers and sons of migrant families. I am deeply honoured that the work has resonated with so many people and grateful that it will now have a permanent home where its story can continue to be shared.”

Ryvchin said the acquis­i­tion ensured the por­trait’s themes would remain access­ible to future audiences.

“This work captures a moment that is deeply personal, but it also speaks to broader ideas about memory, resi­li­ence and social cohesion. I am honoured to have sat for Michael and delighted that the portrait will enter a public col­lec­tion, where it can encourage reflec­tion, under­stand­ing and dialogue among visitors from all back­grounds.”