Eileen Cooper RA

Eileen Cooper is a painter whose figurative work explores the journey of womanhood.  Navigating motherhood, dreams, travel, sexuality, life and death, her characteristic female protagonists are pictured at work or at play, in scenarios which often border on the fantastical.  

Drawing from life sits at the core of Eileen’s practice and works on paper play a key role. She is a technically accomplished printmaker, and working in pastel and watercolour brings an emotive, tactile quality to her imagery. Sisterly support and collaboration are strong themes which run through Eileen’s practice, and are echoed in her wider career as a teacher.  

Eileen studied at Goldsmiths College (1971-74) the Royal College of Art (1974-77), going on to teach at a wide range of prestigious art schools. In 2000 she was elected a Royal Academician, and from 2010-17 served as Keeper of the Royal Academy – the artistic head of the RA Schools – as the first woman to hold this role. She was made an Officer of the British Empire in 2016.

Cooper has exhibited widely in the UK and internationally. Her work is held in many public and private collections including the Tate Gallery; the Arts Council Collection; the British Museum; the Royal Collection; Victoria & Albert Museum and Dallas Museum of Art, Texas. Most recently, her work has been exhibited at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, at Turner’s House, London and at Seventy Five at Liberty’s, London. Eileen lives in south east London.

We are looking forward to presenting a solo exhibition of works on paper by Eileen, ‘Lyrical’, in May 2026. Request a catalogue preview.