'Calm and peaceful' portrait wins National Photographic Portrait Prize Art Handlers' Award

The Art Handlers' Award for 2022 has gone to Victorian photographer Adam Haddrick for his entry, Cordy in the Clouds, a portrait of Indigenous elder, Cordy. Haddrick receives $2,000 courtesy of IAS Fine Art Logistics.

The image was chosen by Collection Officers Jess Kemister and Jacob Potter from the 50 finalists of the 2022 National Photographic Portrait Prize."Its composition, to the gentle presence of Cordy, and the backdrop of the clouds that seamlessly intertwine with his beautiful hair. It's a photograph we feel conveys a sense of calm and peaceful energy," Kemister said.

Potter stated that it's a portrait that "you can look at this work for a long time and hold the gaze of Cordy and be mesmerized by him. And what feels like slow, steady clouds rolling by in the background. It's a quiet and still moment."

Haddrick first encountered Cordy in Charters Towers and also says that he was mesmerised by the man. “He shared his story and told me of a visit to India for an archaeology conference where the locals greeted him as a holy man. I hadn’t seen clouds in the sky for weeks, but while taking his portrait they rolled in behind as if on cue,” Haddrick said. 

The winner of the National Photographic Portrait Prize will be announced on 1 July. They will take home $50,000 in prizes including $30,000 cash from the National Portrait Gallery and $20,000 worth of Canon equipment.

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