Tributes have poured in following the death of Meriel Cooper, one of Bahrain’s leading expatriate artists, whose colourful work and warmth left an enduring mark on the kingdom’s artistic landscape and community.
Ms Cooper, who had lived in Bahrain since 2004, died at the age of 86 at Salmaniya Medical Complex last Sunday. She had struggled to regain her mobility after a bathroom fall about an year ago.
Remembering her artistic talent and distinctive spirit, Dr Sarah Clarke, who knew Ms Cooper for five years while living in the same compound in Jidhafs, described her as a formidable artist, passionate gardener and fervent supporter of migrant worker welfare and animal rights.
“Meriel was known for her detailed and strikingly colourful works that reflected her deep love of nature and Bahrain’s flora and fauna,” she said. “She worked in watercolours and produced a plethora of large artworks that adorn the walls of many homes and businesses in Bahrain and beyond.”
Drawing inspiration from her beloved gardens, Dr Clarke said Ms Cooper, who was born in Exeter, transformed several arid, sandy and neglected spaces in the compounds where she lived. “Never one to shy away from sharing her views and always enjoying a good argument, Meriel will be remembered for her passion, eye for colour and devotion to her two pets, one cat and a dog,” Dr Clarke said.
Another friend, John Luckie-Downe also paid tribute, describing Ms Cooper as ‘caring, warm-hearted, forthright and artistic.’
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