LONGER READ: Inverness artist’s fiery works will take centre stage
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Gunpowder can be both deadly and fascinating, embodying the darkness of its destructive power and the beauty of the light produced by its ignition.
Using ignited powder in his work, artist Frank To, who was born in Falkirk and raised in Glasgow and now lectures at Inverness College UHI, said: “There is something beautiful about the process itself – you are destroying something, but also creating at the same time.
“I want my art to be on the edge.
“It has to give me a sense of adrenaline, otherwise I’m not interested.”
His daringly experimental techniques have now gained him his second admission to the prestigious annual exhibition at the Royal Ulster Academy in Belfast, one of only a handful of Scots artists to have their work accepted for the event.
The oldest child of a broken family, where his mother had to withstand an abusive husband and fight to keep the family together, Mr To left Glasgow at the first opportunity.
“I wanted to leave the bad memories, the bullying and abuse behind,” he said.
“I grew up watching the ships on the River Clyde sailing away never to be seen again and I think that made me even more eager to leave, inspiring my sense of adventure and my love for travel.”
He first went to Huddersfield University, where he met his first mentor – and now good friend and avid collector of his work – the actor Sir Patrick Stewart, who was the university chancellor at the time.
Sir Patrick was attracted to Mr To’s work when he saw it at his final degree show and has spoken about his interest in it before, calling it “very bold, adventurous, unusual and distinctive”.
He has even taken painting lessons from the artist.
Mr To’s art has always been controversial but has taken a more overtly political turn in recent years.
“Artists are the makers and shakers of society and, as an artist, I have a duty and obligation to highlight the issues in society that matter to me,” he said.
It is a tendency that, apparently, runs in the family – Mr To’s grandfather had to flee Hong Kong as a wanted man after protesting against China’s communist government.
Recently Mr To created a series of paintings entitled Machiavelli’s Laws, which were projected onto prominent buildings in Edinburgh to highlight what he called the “double-face of politics”. A collaboration with IM Swedish Development Partners has also seen him engaged in a project entitled Humanium Metal, turning guns which have been decommissioned in official destruction programmes into a range of new objects.
“With Humanium, we are looking into using the metal in powder or other forms in the paintings,” he said.
“Even a simple watch can turn into a powerful symbol – I grew up in Glasgow in the ‘90s, with the violence that led to the Good Friday Agreement and when the Dunblane shooting happened, so the fight against firearms is very dear to me.” He has also partnered with mental health and suicide awareness charities because it is a subject that is very close to his heart after a number of close friends took their own lives.
Admitting experiencing his own “very low moments” he said: “I think mental health is like an invisible predator – you don’t see it but you can sense something is there, it lingers over you continuously.”
At 37, Mr To has now decided to pass on his experience in art and life to the future generation of artists.
“I can teach students how to operate as an artist, how to deal with expectation and rejections,” he said.
“As a lecturer, I believe it’s critical to be very hands-on. When I teach drawing or painting, I get dirty alongside the students, a bit like a head chef does with his kitchen brigade.
“At UHI there is a great sense of community and, despite being sometimes overlooked, I think it’s time for it to shine, as it can help artists in the Highlands get the education they deserve and contribute to the artistic scene as a major institution.”
The Academy exhibition starts on October 18.
