UHI Inverness art lecturer shortlisted for national UK award with portrait of Sir Patrick Stewart
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An Inverness art lecturer has been shortlisted for a new award launched by a prestigious art gallery.
Award winning artist, Frank To was selected for the newly created Guildford House Open Art Prize, with 100 artist set to be displayed for for a group exhibition between November and January.
Mr To's portrait of Star Trek-famous Sir Patrick Stewart using gunpowder garnered him the selection from the renowned art institution.
Commenting on the recent achievements, Mr To said: “I think if I’m being honest, the whole series of successes I’ve been having is humbling.
"I know that when it comes to my art, I want to continuously push myself so that I can discover new methods and possibilities such as my portrait of Sir Patrick Stewart who I know personally; this piece was the one that got accepted into the Guildford House Open Art Prize.
"By exceeding my limits both mentally and physically I’m striving to achieve a level of mastery in my craft which is contemporary art drawing draughtsmanship. My constant need to challenge and better myself in my craft is now recognised by various art establishments."
The winner will be awarded new art opportunity with a top prize of £1,000 and a solo show at Guildford House Gallery.
Recently Mr To was elected as co vice-president of the Society of Scottish Artists as well as being the only Scottish artist selected for the Royal Ulster Academy exhibition at the Ulster Museum in Belfast of which he is.
He has also been selected for the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts exhibition in Devon.
Frank To’s selected piece Kindest Regards will go on show in the Guildford House Open Art prize exhibition from November 25 to January 6, 2024, and his coloured gunpowder piece My Name is Bee will be exhibited at the South West Academy of Fine & Applied between October 31 and November 10.
