CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000

Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000

About Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000

17th May 2025 to 12th Oct 2025
See event website for details
City Art Centre
2 Market Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1DE
See event website for details
Visit the event website here

The post-war era was a period of seismic shifts – political and social, scientific and cultural. Emerging from the events of the Second World War, communities lived with the legacies of conflict while looking ahead to the future. Contemporary artists responded to these changing times, addressing both traditional and modern themes in their work as they pushed the boundaries of creativity. By the end of the century, the artistic landscape was entirely transformed.

Scheduled to complement John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture, this survey exhibition examines the wider context of post-war Scottish art. Charting the years between the late 1940s and late 1990s, it showcases evolving approaches to figurative and landscape subjects, the growth of abstraction and pop art, and the development of new media. Out of Chaos presents a range of artworks from the City Art Centre’s permanent collection, featuring key pieces by William Johnstone, Joan Eardley, Eduardo Paolozzi, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Elizabeth Blackadder and Maud Sulter.

Sponsored Links

Paisley First
Open Pass Scotland
Escape The Past
Escape The Past
Fayre Play

Other Events at City Art Centre

ArtSpace in the City Art Centre

25th February 2025 - 31st December 2025

Come and have fun in our family area in the Lower Ground Floor at the City Art Centre!

READ MORE

John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture

31st May 2025 - 28th September 2025

John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture captures the span of an extraordinary life and career, told through the lens of the artist’s own eyes and the words of the people who knew him best.

READ MORE

Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture

13th September 2025 - 31st May 2026

Featuring examples of painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and photography, the exhibition at City Art Centre spans almost 400 years of artistic production.

READ MORE

Michael Fullerton

22nd November 2025 - 22nd February 2026

A major exhibition by Glasgow-born artist Michael Fullerton comes to the City Arts Centre!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Link
Renfrewshire Council
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG

Similar events you might like...

Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks

Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks

Selected dates between 13th March 2025 - 4th September 2025

Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!

READ MORE
Odysseys Through The Storm

Odysseys Through The Storm

8th July 2025 - 12th July 2025

Catch this captivating exhibition showcasing the work of Art Psychotherapy graduates from Queen Margaret University at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall from 8th to 12th July!

READ MORE
Into The Wild - A Collaborative Art Exhibition

Into The Wild - A Collaborative Art Exhibition

9th July 2025 - 27th July 2025

Into The Wild, a Collaborative Art Exhibition hosted by Edinburgh-based artists Dani Cleeland, Dee Raspin, & Jim McGregor, is showing at Leith Makers from 9th to 27th July!

READ MORE
Exhibition of Artworks by Roy Middleton

Exhibition of Artworks by Roy Middleton

12th July 2025 - 17th July 2025

‘Elements Series’ is an exciting collection of artworks by Edinburgh artist Roy Middleton exploring other worlds and colour. Catch it at Whitespace from 12 July!

READ MORE
Artists’ Showcase

Artists’ Showcase

16th July 2025

The Melting Pot and Creative Edinburgh have come together on 16th July to showcase the work of up and coming artists in Edinburgh.

READ MORE
Magical Patterns: Curator Preview Breakfast Tour

Magical Patterns: Curator Preview Breakfast Tour

18th July 2025

Join the Dovecot and IKEA Museum curators for an early morning tour and viewing of IKEA: Magical Patterns on Friday 18th July!

READ MORE
IKEA: Magical Patterns

IKEA: Magical Patterns

18th July 2025 - 17th January 2026

IKEA Museum's Magical Patterns exhibition comes to Dovecot Studios, celebrating 60 years of innovative textile design.

READ MORE
Magical Patterns: Director Talk

Magical Patterns: Director Talk

19th July 2025

Join Dovecot Director, Celia Joicey on 19th July for a special opening weekend talk on IKEA: Magical Patterns!

READ MORE
Dinner in the Garden with Roberta Hall-McCarron

Dinner in the Garden with Roberta Hall-McCarron

24th July 2025

Enjoy an exquisite four course dinner presented by award-winning chef Roberta Hall-McCarron and explore the trailblazing work of Linder: Danger Came Smiling on 24th July at the Royal Botanic Garden!

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Paisley First
Open Pass Scotland
Escape The Past
Escape The Past
Fayre Play
Link
Renfrewshire Council
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG

Popular Events

Adventure Cinema: Outdoor Cinema at Dalkeith Country Park
Adventure Cinema, the UK's largest outdoor cinema tour, returns this summer with incredible movies to watch under the sun and stars at Dalkeith Country Park!
Belfast Brunch Co
Expect a fun fuelled afternoon filled with R’n’B favourites, sing-along classics and nostalgic dance moments with The Belfast Brunch Co. at Edinburgh Corn Exchange on 15th November!
Adults Sunset Silent Disco Cruise
Following the success of our Maid of the Forth family events, we're thrilled to launch our brand new Adults-Only Silent Disco Cruise, the ultimate summer night out on the Forth.
Liberty Inspired Repeat Pattern Workshop
Join tutor Emma Tudor-Bloch for this workshop at Dovecot on 12th July and learn how to draw repeat patterns inspired by Liberty designs!
Dinosaurs roar to life in a Jurassic takeover at Livingston Designer Outlet
Step into a Jurassic world of fun this summer at Livingston Designer Outlet where guests can enjoy a host of dinosaur-themed events, making it the ultimate day out to remember!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall