Chloe Cox

This is a portrait of a humble couple who fostered over 200 children before retiring in 2024. I was awe-inspired by their compassion and generosity for the world. Quietly and resiliently creating space for young people to grow up – they demonstrated a level of support and dedication that not only offered a safe haven for those who needed it, but brought them closer together. It’s a love story for the ages and I wanted this portrait to capture exactly that. I opted for this particular pose and composition because it offers a saint-like look of care to the viewer, while at the same time suggesting – through intertwined arms – the closed-circuit connection they have for each other that makes you want ask, what’s the secret?

Chloe Cox is based in Manchester. Commissioned by King Charles and the Windrush Commemoration Committee, Chloe’s work has achieved national acclaim. As an oil painter of Caribbean heritage, her work is driven by a passion to represent the underrepresented – particularly those in ethnic minority communities. Her hyperrealism style aims to capture the essence and likeness of her sitters for centuries to come, so that her sitters may feel a true sense of belonging in history, arts, and culture.