Fantastical compositions and intricate detail define printmaker Ade Adesina's work. Buildings and machinery, even cities, appear in scorched deserts; winged sharks circle above in the sky along with dark suns and strange, ominous weather. Contrasting imagery from different cultures makes for intriguing works, his influences ranging from his native Nigeria to recent travels in Italy, Germany and the Scottish Islands. The 'Tree of Life', the African Baobab tree, is a recurring motif, often standing alone as an emblem of survival, depicted completely surrounded by sprawling human civilisation or in a ruined wasteland. In other works, the tree is at the hands of beetle-like machines, cutting and sawing into it. Visually striking and complex, these works urge the viewer to reflect on the past, the present and the future. Ade Adesina says:
"My work is a visual commentary around the ideas of ecology and our ever-changing world. I am fascinated by how the human footprint is affecting our planet. Our world is full of wonderful landscapes and I wish to highlight the continual damage caused through things such as deforestation, the politics of energy consumption, and endangered wild species."
Ade Adesina is a highly accomplished traditional printmaker, working mainly in linocut, etching, and woodcut. In addition, he works as a sculptor and painter. He is based in Aberdeen, Scotland and is a Royal Scottish Academician (elected 2017) and member of the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Art. He has held positons as Artist in Residence at Eton College and Glasgow Print Studio. In 2018, his large-scale linocut print 'The View After the Questions' was awarded the Royal Society of Painter Printmakers Prize.