Refugee Festival Scotland is delighted to present People Going Places, a special pop up exhibition by Glasgow based oil painter Nii Sackey. The exhibition brings together a selection of portraits created for this year’s festival poster campaign alongside a new, previously unseen painting.
Working primarily in oil, Nii Sackey’s practice centres portraiture as a space of care, dignity and connection. His paintings move beyond resemblance, focusing instead on presence, memory and the emotional textures carried within the face and body. Each work invites audiences into a quieter form of looking, one rooted in humanity, tenderness and attention.
People Going Places reflects on movement, resilience and the many journeys people carry with them across generations, borders, memories and everyday life. Set within an informal and welcoming environment, this pop up exhibition offers audiences the chance to encounter the original paintings behind the visual identity of Refugee Festival Scotland 2026 while celebrating Nii’s wider artistic practice and latest work.
Artist Bio
Nii Sackey is a self taught oil painter based in Glasgow, whose practice has grown over nearly seven years with a focus on portraiture and the power of presence. He approaches each subject with a quiet attentiveness, seeking to capture dignity and inner life rather than surface likeness. His work is guided by a belief that art should be meaningful, should move people, and should be accessible to everyone, not just those who already feel at home in gallery spaces.
No booking required.
Exhibition opening: Tues 16 June, 5-7pm
Image Credit: Nii Sackey
Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
