EDINBURGH.- This summer the Royal Scottish Academy presents Chaos and Control, a timely survey exhibition exploring the enduring significance of printmaking within Scotland's contemporary art landscape, bringing together works by 47 established, emerging and internationally recognised artists working across the medium today.

Co-curated by acclaimed printmaker Ade Adesina RSA and Head of Programme Flora La Thangue, Chaos and Control examines how printmaking continues to evolve. The exhibition highlights the remarkable breadth of contemporary Scottish printmaking, from traditional techniques to experimental approaches that push the boundaries of the medium.

For decades, printmaking studios have served as creative hubs across Scotland. Since the country's first open-access workshops opened in the 1960s and 70s, artists have gathered in shared environments to develop skills and foster creative communities. Whilst other visual arts organisations have struggled to secure funding and support in Scotland in the recent years, printmaking studios continue to thrive, with strong artist-led memberships and affordable art at the centre of their purpose.

Exhibition co-curator, Flora La Thangue says: ‘We're delighted to be bringing this diverse and vibrant exhibition of Scottish printmakers to Edinburgh this summer in the RSA's 200th anniversary year. The Academy has a long history of supporting printmakers in Scotland, with Academicians David Young Cameron and Ernest Stephen Lumsden both made famous by their printmaking practices. Latterly, Academicians including Elizabeth Blackadder, Robin Phillipson and William Wilson would complement their painting practices with editioned lithographs and etchings which were widely exhibited and collected. Philip Reeves was central to the establishment of both Edinburgh Printmakers and Glasgow Print Studio whilst Willie Rodger was one of the most popular Scottish printmakers in recent history, with his 'wee' series always sold at affordable prices. Whilst recently many arts organisations in Scotland have struggled in the wake of funding cuts and surging inflation, printmaking studios have remained crucial communities for artists to come together, sharing knowledge and ideas. All the artworks on view in this exhibition have been made by artists who have found that printmaking brings something fresh and vital to their work. Whilst the processes involved are often specialised, physically strenuous and time-consuming, the work on the walls is dynamic, energetic and powerful.’





Featuring artists from across Scotland and beyond, Chaos and Control highlights the importance of printmaking today and its distinctive combination of repetition, layering, tactility, precision and unpredictability.

All works are available for sale and the exhibition are accompanied by an illustrated publication.

Exhibitors: Ade Adesina RSA | Michael Agnew RSA | Chris Allan | Bryan Angus | Claire Barclay RSA | Scott Baxter | Black Hat Prints | Alan Campbell | June Carey | Aoife Cawley | Lin Chau | Jonathan Comerford | Victoria Crowe RSA | Kate Downie RSA | Rachel Duckhouse | Stuart Duffin RSA | Morven Ferguson | Paul Furneaux RSA | Jo Ganter RSA | Anupa Gardner | Alistair Gow | Hetty Haxworth | Rosalind Lawless | Jodi Le Bigre | John Mackechnie RSA | Marion MacPhee | Richard Marsden | David McCracken | Ian McNicol | Joshua Miles | Gregory Moore | Leena Nammari RSA | Nkem Okwechime | Robert Powell | Barbara Rae RSA | Clive Ramage | Claire Roberts | Bruce Shaw | Bronwen Sleigh RSA | Lisa Speirs-Fleming | Two Step | Pamela Tait | Gill Tyson | Michael Waight | Arthur Watson PPRSA | Matthew Wilson | Adrian Wiszniewski RSA