In Toowong, a quiet art classroom has given rise to a story now reaching the walls of the State Library of Queensland. Brisbane Boys’ College student Louis Ko, 15, has been named a finalist in the Brisbane Portrait Prize, with his work Dad recognised in the Next Generation category.
What was intended as a birthday gift to his father has grown into a work of public admiration, selected from dozens of entries for its depth and tenderness. The portrait will be part of the Brisbane Portrait Prize exhibition from 20 September to 9 November.
A portrait born from distance and gratitude
Louis’s portrait is painted in acrylic on canvas, measuring 51 by 61 centimetres. The sitter is his father, Eunsung, who has been separated from him by distance but not by devotion. Louis explained to organisers that although he and his father live apart, they remain connected through his education, something his father worked tirelessly to make possible.
He chose to paint his father gazing upward, describing this gesture as a symbol of respect and pride. For Louis, the act of painting became a way to express words that often go unsaid — an acknowledgement of sacrifice, care, and quiet strength carried over the years.
“Though we’re separated by distance, we are connected through my education — something he has worked so hard to make possible,” Louis said. “This portrait is my thank you, a way of showing that I see everything he’s done and that I admire him not just as a dad, but as someone who’s shaped the path I’m walking now.”
Behind the scenes at the State Library
On 12 September, organisers announced that all 77 finalist works across categories had arrived at the State Library in a single five-hour delivery window. Condition checks and preparations are now underway, with opening night scheduled for Friday, 20 September.
The scale of the exhibition reflects the breadth of portraiture in Brisbane, with professionals and students alike contributing works that capture not only faces but also stories.
Louis’s Dad will hang among them, standing alongside works from some of Queensland’s most promising young talents. Visitors will be able to view his portrait in the Next Generation gallery, where the future of Australian portraiture is given its space to shine.
Local pride in Toowong
News of Louis’s achievement was shared proudly by Brisbane Boys’ College, which celebrated his recognition as a reflection of both skill and dedication. The school has encouraged the Toowong community to visit the exhibition, underscoring the importance of supporting young artists as they step into a broader public view.
For Louis, the journey from school art studies to a state exhibition has not only marked an artistic milestone but also enabled him to place his family’s story into a broader conversation. His portrait speaks to love, distance, and gratitude — universal themes expressed through the personal lens of a Toowong teenager with a paintbrush.
Published 16-Sept-2025
