New coloured gunpowder artwork by UHI Inverness lecturer Frank To selected for second showing at London’s Royal Mall after Royal exhibition sell-out
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AN Inverness art lecturer and internationally-renowned artist has been selected for a second show in London with his new coloured gunpowder artwork.
Frank To, who works at UHI Inverness, has been unconditionally accepted into the prestigious Society of Graphic Fine Art annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in central London opening next month.
This will mark the artist’s second showing at the Mall Galleries within the Royal Pall-Mall central London in less than six months after selling all his work in the Royal Society of British Artists exhibition last month.
Commenting on his recent achievement and work, Mr To said: “To be honest, the new work is a direct reflection of where my mindset and career is at. If you think about it, two years ago we just entered a global lockdown due to the pandemic. Now whilst most artists would buckle down for the storm, I was in my flat, experimenting relentlessly new methods and techniques. This of course developed into the work I’m currently doing. It demonstrates that despite being a lecturer of a university, I do not rest on my laurels which can be easily done; I am continuously pushing the boundaries out there in the art world on contemporary art. I want to show what I teach is what I do and this inspire my students who are the next upcoming generation of Scottish contemporary artists.
“I am very honoured to be accepted in this year’s Society of Graphic Fine Art annual exhibition. I will be showing next to contemporaries and peers who I strongly admire. Furthermore, I am humbled to be given an opportunity to show again this year in the Mall Galleries at the Royal Pall-Mall in central London in less than six months. It’s quite a rare thing as few Scottish artists achieve this in less than a year.”
Mr To's gunpowder drawing technique is garnering him international recognition as a contemporary art figure amongst art critics and high profile collectors alike, including actor Sir. Patrick Stewart (of Star Trek fame) and New York based Michel Witmer, who hangs To’s paintings alongside those of Picasso, Dine and Warhol.
The Society of Graphic Fine Art - The Drawing Society - is the only national society in the UK dedicated exclusively to drawing. Founded in 1919, the Society promotes fine drawing skills in both traditional and contemporary media. Today the society has more than 130 elected members across Britain.
Mr To’s coloured gunpowder art work goes on show and will be for sale in the Society of Graphic Fine Art Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London from May 17 to May 21.
