Three Figures with Umbrella and Mirror, 1988

Eileen Cooper (born 1953, United Kingdom) is a prominent British artist known for her distinctive figurative style, often exploring themes of femininity, sexuality, and the human condition. Working primarily in painting, drawing, and printmaking, Cooper’s expressive use of color and bold, rhythmic forms have become hallmarks of her practice. Her work is characterized by a dreamlike quality, frequently depicting female figures in symbolic, narrative settings that blend the personal with the universal.

Cooper has exhibited extensively in major institutions, including solo exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, where she also served as Keeper from 2011 to 2017—the first woman to hold this post since the Academy’s founding. Her work has been shown at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Art Space Gallery, and internationally in venues such as the Kunsthalle, Budapest. Cooper’s pieces are held in significant public collections, including the Arts Council Collection, the British Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

At auction, Eileen Cooper’s works have appeared at major houses such as Christie’s and Bonhams, reflecting her established reputation in the contemporary British art scene. Her prints and paintings have achieved notable results, particularly in sales focused on modern British art. Cooper continues to live and work in the United Kingdom, maintaining an influential presence both as an artist and educator.