THE Castlegate House Gallery in Cockermouth has pulled off a major coup by persuading famed painter and printmaker Eileen Cooper to exhibit in Cumbria for the first time.

Eileen's work has been described as that of a 'magic realist' and she is acclaimed as one of the country's most prestigious artists.

As well as being a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, Eileen is the first woman in its history to be named the Keeper of the Royal Academy, which means she is the head of the Royal Academy Schools.

Gallery owners Steve and Christine Swallow are full of excitement about the exhibition, which opens on Monday (May 30).

"Persuading an artist of Eileen’s calibre and fame to venture this far north is a real coup for a provincial gallery," said Steve.

"We know that art lovers from miles around will want to come to view her drawings and paintings, the likes of which you would normally have to travel to London to see.

"To be working directly with her, during June and on future projects, is a privilege for us - we’re really excited about what comes next."

One room of Castlegate House Gallery will be dedicated to Eileen's work, with a dozen of her paintings and drawings, and several woodcut prints, to be exhibited.

The show is to run until Thursday, June 23, and the gallery will continue to represent Eileen in future.

Born in Glossop in the Peak District, Eileen's paintings, drawings and prints feature strong female and autobiographical themes. A major retrospective was held at the Royal Academy last year to coincide with the publication of a book illustrating much of her work from the past three decades. A further touring exhibition will take place this year.

The internationally renowned Royal Academy of Arts is an independent charity led by eminent artists and architects to promote the understanding, appreciation and practice of art through exhibitions, learning and debate.

At any one time there are no more than 80 Royal Academy artists, who must all be practising, professional artists working in the UK. Of these, at least 14 must be sculptors, 12 architects, eight printmakers and the rest painters.