Biography

Obaid Suroor received a Bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Cairo University in 1979. Upon graduation he returned to his native emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. He has dedicated his life to art and education. Before retiring, he was an art education counsellor at the UAE Ministry of Education and established a workshop for talented young artists at Al Qassimiyah School – the place where he learnt to draw as a child and where he continues to act as a mentor today.

Suroor is a founding member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and is the supervisor of its atelier in Ras Al Khaimah. His works, which draws heavily on the UAE’s natural landscape, have been exhibited throughout the country as well as in Belgium, Egypt, France, Jordan and Syria. His works were part of the UAE’s National Pavilion at the 56th edition of The Venice Biennale.

A prolific artist, he houses his large body of work, comprised of mostly mixed media paintings, in his Ras Al Khaimah studio and residence.