Fine Art graduate makes his mark on copper at national exhibition

Frank To, who graduated in 2004, attributes his success on the national stage to his Huddersfield degree

A UNIVERSITY of Huddersfield art graduate whose unique painting technique is garnering him international recognition as a leading contemporary artist has had his unique gunpowder copper art pieces accepted to the prestigious Royal West of England Academy 165^th Annual Exhibition.

Frank To graduated from the University in 2004 where he studied Fine Art.  Since then, he has established himself as a leading contemporary figurative painter and has exhibited in galleries throughout the UK alongside some of the best known artists working today, including Banksy, Jimmy Choo, Damien Hirst and Antony Gormley.

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The University’s Emeritus Chancellor Professor Sir Patrick Stewart is one of the artist’s most famous collectors.

The exhibition is on display until December 2017 and marks the artist’s second showing at a royal art institute in the UK within a year; an achievement very few others have gained.

Frank says he is delighted at being accepted into the prestigious exhibition and attributes his innovative artistry to the Fine Art degree at the University of Huddersfield.

“I have to say that making gunpowder art on copper is an extremely difficult process that no-one else is doing,” he said.  “There have been many failed attempts with little success, but that’s what the fine art course at Huddersfield taught me, that you must be bold and daring to succeed.”

Last year, Frank saw his unique work with gunpowder being accepted into the Royal Scottish Academy and Society of Scottish Artists.

The Royal West of England Academy Open Exhibition has a long history of celebrating the best of British contemporary art.  Now in its 165th 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 Exhibition a perfect opportunity to discover new artists or invest in well-known names.