American queer artist, educator and photographer Catherine Opie has arrived in the Scottish capital in her first major UK exhibition. And what a sublime experience. These cleverly curated works at the Royal Scottish Academy invite the viewer to contemplate the everydayness of queer lives. Her oeuvre captures often overlooked aspects of American LGBTQIA+ communities. The artist examines queer identity, landscapes, community structures and domestic life. Her portraiture is intimate and sits comfortably alongside the classical Renaissance paintings curated for the show by Opie.

The artist chose the paintings from the RSA collection to sit side by side her portraits. What’s striking about the exhibition here, as opposed to London, where it was first shown at the National Portrait Gallery, is how much space the works take up. They sprawl out, taking over the expansive upper galleries. This gives the works room to breath and places them within direct conversation with each other.

Contemporary paintings such as Picasso’s intimate depiction of Mother and Child during his blue period invite us to question notions of domesticity. Opie’s works raise many questions. Such as how has it taken so long for a show like this to make it into the mainstream? There were moments when I had to double take and question whether I was looking at a chiaroscuro Renaissance painting or one of Opie’s photographs such as, Guillermo & Joaquin 2013 (a pigment print). Does this sanitise queer lives or just normalise queerness? The show invites us to explore notions of what domesticity means. Quite often families are complex webs that include chosen family as well as those with the same bloodline. Even more so for those who identify as queer.

It’s also poignant that Opie has stated that her work wouldn’t be accepted in America due to the current political climate there. In light of this, having this show so prominent in Edinburgh is vital. Passers by on the main walkway of Princess Street can’t miss the huge exhibition banners covering the neoclassical facade advertising the photographer’s work, which also places them amongst a mainstream audience. I’m proud to be associated with such an enlightened part of the world. The reach is broad and will no doubt go far beyond the LGBTQIA+ community. By far one of the most thought provoking and moving exhibitions I’ve seen in a very long time.

‘To Be Seen‘ is at Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh until Sun 1 Nov 2026