An Aberdeen artist who was born to a chicken-farming family in Nigeria has teamed up with a renowned printmaker to headline a show at Eton College.
Ade Adesina, who graduated from Gray’s School of Art in 2012, creates surrealist works by carving landscapes out of lino.
He opened his new exhibition, Beyond Reality, with established Scottish printmaker June Carey this weekend.
The show features etchings combining both artists’ “magical realism” inspirations and is open to the public by appointment.
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Mr Adesina has been experiencing a surge in popularity, with his reputation soaring across the globe.
Well-known art broker Sotheby’s recently sold one of his pieces, while another was showcased at the largest art fair in the Middle East, Art Dubai.
The artist, who moved from London to Aberdeen to follow his passion for art, told the Sunday Times: “I am from a family of pharmacists, doctors, engineers, accountants, so it was like they didn’t really understand why I wanted to do that.”
Mr Adesina has been drawing since he was a child, and began making money from an early age by selling silhouette portraits to his friends at school.
He added: “I saw one of Monet’s paintings in Paris and I just couldn’t move, it captivated me.
“I want to make work that people can’t just walk past – they have to spend a few minutes.
“I want everyone to engage and think about what does it mean, something that can grab your attention.”
Mr Adesina was previously the artist in residence at Inverness’s Highland Print Studio between 2015 and 2016.
Ian Burke, Eton’s head of art, first became aware of Mr Adesina’s art when his piece, The Questions, won a £2,000 prize at the 2015 Royal Academy exhibition in London.
He them offered him the opportunity to become an artist in residence at the college.
“I felt this was a guy who is a bit special, a bit unique,” he said.
“I found out he was stacking shelves in Asda.
“He is the antithesis of those who fancy themselves – a refreshing change from the prima donna.”
