Shirin Abdul Rahman Cooper

Short Biography

Shirin Abdul Rahman Cooper has spent the greater part of her life in Dubai, where she has been based since 1972. She began her artistic training with a private course in drawing and watercolor painting, followed by a course in acrylic painting. From that foundation, she continued to develop her practice independently, building a personal visual language over many years. Her work has been sold at established venues in Dubai and internationally, and her paintings have been selected for institutional and commercial commissions, reflecting a practice that has grown steadily in both reach and recognition.

Education

Shirin's formal training consisted of a private course in drawing and watercolor painting, followed by a course in acrylic painting. Beyond these, her artistic development has been largely self-directed, shaped by ongoing experimentation with techniques and styles over many years.

Exhibitions

Shirin has shown her work at a number of exhibitions in the UAE and abroad. She participated in the Art and Music Exhibition in Dubai in 2002 and in Art Dubai in 2006. Her paintings have been sold through the Creative Art Centre in Dubai and Dubai Duty Free, and internationally through the Madina Art Gallery in Muscat, Oman.

Artistic Style

Shirin works across watercolour and acrylic, with a practice that draws on traditional painting influences while remaining open to experimentation. Her work reflects a long and self-directed artistic journey, shaped by sustained engagement with color, technique, and personal expression rather than a single defined method or movement.

Additional Information

Shirin's watercolor paintings were selected by the Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs for use on greeting cards. Her limited-edition jewelry prints were commissioned by Jumeirah Al Qasr Hotel in Mina Al Salam, Dubai, demonstrating a breadth of practice that extends beyond canvas-based work into applied and decorative contexts.