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 proud to present new work by Eileen in our group exhibition And Other Animals. View catalogue.
Portrait of the artist by Jenny Lewis
Shop works by Eileen Cooper RA
Ink, pastel, and watercolour, 29.5 x 21cm
Eileen Cooper is a painter and printmaker with a strong commitment to figuration. Sometimes described as a magic realist, she brings an unapologetically female perspective to her subject-matter, which encompasses sexuality, motherhood, life and death.
This new, framed work on paper is part of our group exhibition ‘And Other Animals’, loosely inspired by Gerald Durrell’s memoir about time spent on Corfu with his family.
Please note that if purchased this work will not be available until 2 August 2026.
Ink and watercolour, 21 × 15cm
Eileen Cooper is a painter and printmaker with a strong commitment to figuration. Sometimes described as a magic realist, she brings an unapologetically female perspective to her subject-matter, which encompasses sexuality, motherhood, life and death.
This framed ink and watercolour drawing is part of a new series of colourful works on paper where the artist’s distinctive protagonists are pictured with a companion. Here, the female figure gazes at her reflection, illuminated by a classic angle-poise lamp.
Purchased works are usually despatched within three working days.
Ink, pastel, and watercolour, 29.5 x 21cm
Eileen Cooper is a painter and printmaker with a strong commitment to figuration. Sometimes described as a magic realist, she brings an unapologetically female perspective to her subject-matter, which encompasses sexuality, motherhood, life and death.
This new, framed work on paper is one of a pair by the artist made for our group exhibition ‘And Other Animals’. It is framed in maple behind anti-reflective 70% UV resistant glass.
Please note that if purchased this work will not be available until 2 August 2026.