City Art Centre to present biggest-ever exhibition of acclaimed printmaker Ade Adesina

City Art Centre will present the biggest exhibition of work to date by acclaimed printmaker Ade Adesina, bringing together an expansive collection of his monumental linocuts, etchings and woodcuts.

Born in Nigeria in 1980 and now based in Aberdeen, Adesina explores urgent global themes, including climate change and colonial histories, drawing on the past and present to imagine possible futures. His work carefully balances beauty with a darker undercurrent, revealing the impact of human intervention on the natural world.

Informed by his African roots, his experiences of British culture and his extensive global travels, Adesina’s practice is deeply rooted in the traditions of Fine Art printmaking. At first glance, his works may appear to be classical landscapes or still lifes. However, closer inspection reveals complex narratives and richly layered iconography, inviting visitors to look beyond the surface and discover the stories within.

The exhibition, titled Bard, includes new works created especially for the show. It offers visitors an opportunity to experience the breadth and ambition of an artist whose distinctive approach to printmaking explores the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world.

Running until Sunday 11 April 2027, the exhibition is presented as part of RSA200: Celebrating Together, marking the occasion through a showcase of contemporary artistic practice and the work of one of Scotland’s leading printmakers.City Art Centre will present the biggest exhibition of work to date by acclaimed printmaker Ade Adesina, bringing together an expansive collection of his monumental linocuts, etchings and woodcuts.

Ade Adesina said:

I’m delighted to present ‘Bard’ at Edinburgh’s City Art Centre, a place that holds special significance for me. It was one of the first galleries I visited as an art student, and I remember being so overwhelmed by the quality of the work on display that I questioned whether I could ever make it as an artist. To return now with my own exhibition feels particularly meaningful.

On a personal level, this body of work brings back memories of different times in my life and the ups and downs of trying to build a career as an artist. Each piece holds something of the circumstances in which it was made: the doubts, setbacks, discoveries and moments of joy. Seeing these works together allows me to reflect on that journey and the experiences that have shaped both my life and my practice.

Printmaking is the medium I have chosen to tell stories through landscapes and still life, bringing together places, events, memories and imagined worlds. My work reflects on our relationship with nature and the histories that shape us, preserving memories and recording experiences while drawing connections between different cultures and environments. Presenting these stories in Edinburgh, a city with such a rich storytelling tradition, feels especially fitting.

I hope visitors will find their own connections within these images and discover something new each time they look. Above all, I hope someone beginning their own creative journey visits this exhibition and leaves feeling encouraged to keep going, even when the path ahead feels uncertain. It’s hard, but it’s possible.