Upon its official unveiling at Saturday night’s ceremony, most would agree that Cooper’s latest work of Lions art is arguably one of his finest.
The aptly named ‘Brothers in Arms’ piece features inaugural inductees Michael Voss, Alastair Lynch and Kevin Murray depicting the unique history that binds Fitzroy, the Bears and Lions together as one family.
In the centre of the painting is Lynch, who best represents the merged Brisbane Lions as one of only two individuals (together with Scott McIvor) to have ever played with all three arms of the Club.
He is flanked by Premiership team-mate Voss wearing the Bears guernsey from his Brownlow Medal-winning year of 1996, and Legend Murray in the 1950s style kit he famously wore throughout the majority of his 333-game career with Fitzroy.
Hall of Fame Medallions hang proudly from the necks of each of the three players, who are standing on a football field which blends the traditional Brunswick Street Oval with the more contemporary Gabba setting.
After spending countless hours spent locked away in his Melbourne-based studio, Cooper said the painting was a labour of love.
“I can’t help but get a bit nostalgic when I stare at the colours and the old Fitzroy jumper. It makes it more a labour of love,” Cooper said.
“My brief for this painting was simply to bring players from each entity together, to symbolise the unification of the three into one and emphasise that all histories are connected and part of the same family.”
The original three-quarter life-size painting was auctioned off last Saturday night to the highest bidder - which proved to be long-time Lions fan Laurie Conway.
A limited number of smaller prints have also been made available for purchase through the Lions Shop.
CLICK HERE to visit the Lions’ online shop and check out the full range of Hall of Fame memorabilia, including the Brothers in Arms print.
