Sheila El-Hassani studied Graphics at Leeds College of Art. She then qualified as an art teacher from the University of Leeds where she met Mahdi El-Hassani who she married in the 1950s. Together they spent several years in Iraq (1958-61 and 1968-71) during which time Sheila taught at Al Mansoor School, and also worked as a freelance artist designing posters for the Ministry of Education and producing illustrations for the Press.
While living in Iraq Sheila began painting; strongly influenced by the intense colours, patterns and shapes of the places and people in the environment. More recently, she has continued to develop her paintings in Leeds and also following visits to Morocco and Turkey. Sheila has a keen and observant eye for physicality, shape, colour and detail which she applies sensitively and skilfully to her artworks.
Sheila El-Hassani with her paintings included in the ‘Voices of Asia’ gallery at Leeds City Museum, 2015
All images and text on this website ©Sheila El-Hassani
Sheila El-Hassani 
Madam, Just to say that your painting is eye-catching art. I forwarded 2 of your painting (in Turkey) to my daughters and immediately the asked Can you send more? I told it was a nice mistake that connected me to Sayed Mahdi El Hassani. I thought the pharmacist in Dubai. Madame, your painting is superb & unique. Let us see more please.