EDINBURGH — A major exhibition by acclaimed American photographer Catherine Opie is bringing a powerful exploration of identity, visibility and contemporary life to Scotland this summer.

Catherine Opie: To Be Seen has moved from London's National Portrait Gallery to the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, where the exhibition opened on August 8.

The exhibition presents Opie's distinctive approach to portrait photography, using people and communities to explore questions surrounding identity, belonging and how individuals are represented.

The Edinburgh presentation gives Scottish audiences an opportunity to experience one of the most significant contemporary photography exhibitions of the year. Opie's work has frequently challenged conventional ideas about portraiture, gender, community and visibility.

The exhibition forms part of a wider summer arts programme across the UK, with galleries presenting work from both established and emerging artists. Other Edinburgh exhibitions are also exploring subjects including environmental history, memory and contemporary identity.

For Scotland's cultural sector, major international exhibitions such as this also strengthen Edinburgh's position as an important destination for contemporary art and photography.

The arrival of Opie's work highlights the continuing power of photography as a contemporary art form, particularly when artists use the medium to examine how people understand themselves and how society sees them.

As Edinburgh's busy summer cultural season continues, the exhibition is expected to attract both dedicated art audiences and visitors looking for major contemporary cultural experiences.