In July 2019, the City of Joondalup announced the fourth Honorary Freeman of the City of Joondalup, Brian Cooper AO. The Freeman of the City title is an honour bestowed upon individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the community, Australia, and humanity through their personal endeavours and commitment. The City of Joondalup commissioned this portrait of Mr Cooper by Kendal Gear.

Kendal Gear was born in Perth and studied fine art at Curtin University between 2008 and 2011. Gear is a distinguished local portrait artist who has been selected as a finalist in the Black Swan Prize for Portraiture in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and was also selected for the prestigious John Stringer Art Prize in WA and the Archibald Prize at the AGNSW in 2019.