roger adamson
leading figurative line artist
drawing the line
In an era of deceptive artificiality, homogeneity, superficiality and endless identical repetition Roger Adamson embraces the power of the line and an unforgiving medium that leaves an artist nowhere to hide.
Roger Adamson (b.1968, Kent, UK) is a leading figurative line artist exploring the tension between transformation and timelessness, trade and nature, and transitional liminality between epochs.
In response to an era of deceptive artificiality, homogeneity, superficiality and endless identical repetition he has embraced the power of the line and the challenge of mastering an unforgiving medium that leaves an artist nowhere to hide.
His signature line drawings of the sea, landscapes, ships and people show the influence of Sumi-e, Ukiyo-e, and are inspired by the Utagawa School art of Hiroshige and Hokusai, and in particular the Sōsaku-hanga artists Yoshida Toshi, Kawase Hasui and the Yokohama-e pictures of Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide which reflect and capture the Japanese country and its people experiencing epochal change.
Their focus on the quality of the line and its dynamic power to create complexity from simplicity, their egalitarian treatment of subjects and their palpable precision evoke a Japanese and Chinese aesthetic that makes them both high art and handicraft.
Demanding discipline, precision, courage and control his pen and ink works are the antithesis of the digital: embodying the tangible and temporal and seeking to distil the essence of universal truths.
from a studio by the sea
Working from a studio overlooking the sea in Kent, UK helped and hindered by Frank the studio cat, he travels extensively capturing a world on the brink of epochal change.
Exhibited regularly his work has been featured by The Royal Society of Marine Artists (2024, 2025), The Society of Graphic Fine Art (2025, 2026), and the 2025 VII London Art Biennale.
latest from instagram
Fantastic exhibition of Hiroshige works @thebritishmuseum. Well worth a visit if you`re in London between now and 7th September. Especially great to see my favourite Hiroshige woodblock `Sudden shower over Ohashi and Atake` from 100 famous views of Edo - 1857
@thebritishmuseum
Something very cool arrived in the post! Enjoying a leisurely leaf through all the selected artworks for the #londonartbiennale2025 Great catalogue and very proud to be exhibiting and highlighting the plight of the men who break ships around the world.
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#londonartbiennale2025 #chelseaoldtownhall #marineart #marineartist #shipbreaking #chittagong #exhibition
60 nations, 350 artists and one of those is me! Absolutely delighted to be selected to exhibit at this year`s #londonartbiennale2025 Looking forward to the Private View tomorrow.
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#london #marineart #marineartist #londonartbiennale2025 #chelseaoldtownhall
Loving the new studio pen holder! At last I can lay my hand on the right pen without hunting across the entire desk. Thank you @haybag_maddie #sakurapensjapan #studio #artist #ecofriendly
Happy New Year folks…
May your new year be filled with Gibson’s
South Foreland Lighthouse, Dover. Spot the Spitfire!
Just arrived in the post this morning. This could get expensive! Again... #marineantiques
Disney Magic coming alongside at Dover this morning.
门 Mén. Sān lián huà
The Door Triptych.
roger adamson
Leading Figurative Line Artist.
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Original & limited edition works.