To’s Dragon roars into prestigious exhibition
A GLASGOW artist whose celebrity fans include legendary actor Sir Partick Stewart has landed a prestigious three-month exhibition slot in Northern Ireland.
Frank To has had a work accepted for the Royal Ulster Academy annual exhibition at the Ulster Museum, Belfast, which is running until January 6.
The work, entitled ‘Dragon’, has been created using gunpowder and copper and aims to promote a message of peace, according to the artist, who said it was “particularly apt” that it would be exhibited in a city which had suffered from violence conflict.
Earlier this year, examples of the artist’s work were shown at the Royal Society of British Artists exhibition in London. To was also one of only four Scottish artists selected from more than 3000 applicants for the Royal West of England Academy this month.
He said: “I am delighted that my work has been judged worthy of inclusion in this prestigious exhibition, the location of which I consider to be particularly apt given that ‘Dragon’ uses gunpowder, a material of violence, to promote a message of peace within a city that has suffered from violent conflict within its recent history.”
To’s interest in creating works of art from materials traditionally associated with violence to promote a humanitarian message can also be found in his recent collaboration with Swedish watch manufacturer TRIWA, which is producing a limited edition of watches made from Humanium, a new form of metal created from the residue of destroyed firearms,
A percentage of profit from every watch sold will be donated to assist the recovery of war-torn countries.
Recently, To has exhibited alongside some of the greats of the Scottish and international art scene such as Peter Howson and Damien Hirst. His work has also featured in several UK art fairs.