Gunpowder artist and UHI Inverness lecturer Frank To secures spots in trio of illustrious exhibitions - including the Royal Academies Exhibition
Award-winning Scottish artist, Frank To is setting off a chain reaction in the art world after his well-known gunpowder works caused an explosion of interest - and secured appearances at a trio of prestigious exhibitions.
Frank, who is also an art lecturer at UHI Inverness, is representing the best of Scottish contemporary art after his work was accepted to the prestigious Royal Ulster Academy exhibition at the Ulster Museum in Belfast and the famous Royal West England Academy Annual open exhibition at the RWA in Bristol.
All this comes shortly after he was also shortlisted as a finalist for the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists National Art Prize. Out of the finalists, he is one of only three Scottish artists selected. It also makes him the only Scottish artist to achieve all three milestones this year.
Frank’s unique gunpowder technique has garnered him international recognition as a leading contemporary artist amongst art critics and high profile collectors alike - including actor Sir Patrick Stewart, the Northern Ireland Executive, Edinburgh Castle and University of Cambridge.
Commenting on his recent achievement and nomination, he said: “To be selected into the Royal Ulster Academy in Belfast and the Royal West of England in Bristol is both overwhelming and humbling. For me, it’s a way to show both nationally and internationally how Scottish contemporary drawing is still well regarded. I want to contribute to this in any way possible even if it means being competitive. I am still processing all this after being shortlisted as a finalist for the RBSA Prize of which I’m representing Scotland.”
Founded in 1879, the Royal Ulster Academy is the largest and longest established body of practicing visual artists in Northern Ireland. One of the founding principles of the Academy was to hold an annual exhibition of work by both members and non–members of merit. Now in its 143rd year, this event remains one of the highlights of the Northern Ireland arts calendar.
The Royal West of England Academy Open Exhibition has a long history of celebrating the best of British contemporary art. Now in its 171st year, this annual dynamic and varied exhibition invites painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, illustration and mixed media submissions and is a showcase of some of the most exciting artists from across the country and beyond. All work is for sale, making the Annual Open a perfect opportunity to discover new artists or invest in well-known names
The RBSA Prize Exhibition, meanwhile, is a biennial celebration of creativity and innovation showcasing work in at the cutting edge of contemporary art. Welcoming work from both established and emerging artists from around the world, this all media exhibition includes artwork created using an exciting range of artforms and techniques and encourages contemporary practices.
The RBSA Prize provides a great platform for professional development and industry networking and artists selected for the exhibition have the chance to showcase their artwork to a large and diverse audience. There are also prizes to be awarded in recognition of exceptional work.
Frank To’s ignited gunpowder ‘Cours, Petit Lapin, Cours’ art work is on show in the Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition in Belfast from October 18 to January 6.
Hiss gunpowder piece ‘I Want to Break Free’ will be exhibited at the Royal West of England Academy Annual Exhibition in Bristol from September 14 to January 5.
And his selected piece ‘For Fork Sake’ will go on show in the RBSA Prize Exhibition in Birmingham until Saturday, October 12.
