A portrait of a Ugandan man by David Cossini has been selected as the winner of the Art Handlers’ Award in the 2023 National Photographic Portrait Prize
Ugandan Ssebabi 2022 by David Cossini whish was selected by Art Handlers Jessica Kemister and Jacob Potter as the winner of this year’s Art Handlers’ Award. © David Cossini.
The portrait, titled Ugandan Ssebabi 2022 is set in the slums of Kyazanga, Uganda. Describing the subject, photographer David Cossini explains: “Godfrey Baguma, who was born with a rare and painful physical disability, was abandoned by his mother as a bringer of ‘bad luck’, and shunned by society. Through a chance encounter, he reinvented himself as an entertainer in a travelling show. Now 57, he has beaten the odds. While most people with his condition die by 40, he has found love, success and bought a house – a testament to human resilience and positivity.”
David wins $2000 courtesy IAs Fine Art Logistics. The winner of the 2023 NPPP will be announced by National Portrait Gallery Director Bree Pickering, on Friday 16 June. The 2023 NPPP winner will take home up to $50,000 in prizes: $30,000 cash from the National Portrait Gallery and $20,000 worth of Canon equipment thanks to Imaging Partner Canon Australia. Other prizes include the Highly Commended which is supported by EIZO. Audiences will also be able to vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Award. NPPP 2023 opens its doors to the public on Saturday 17 June.
