Glasgow artist's work to feature at late Sir Sean Connery’s old haunt

Dennistoun-based Frank To has been chosen to display his explosive gunpowder-based art in the Society of Scottish Artist Professional Members’ Exhibition at the Caledonian Club in central London.

Frank, who also counts Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart among his famous fans, has had his paintings displayed next to those of Pablo Picasso, Jim Dine and Andy Warhol.

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Glasgow artist Frank To with a portrait of Sir Patrick Stewart. (Image: .Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

He exclusively spoke to the Glasgow Times about his pride at being selected to take part in such an elite exhibition.

The 41-year-old, who is also busy creating a new portrait of Sir Patrick, said: “To have my work shown at the Caledonian Club is a huge honour. To be honest, it’s a bit of pinch me moment - something I never dreamed would happen.

“It’s a place packed with such rich cultural history, as well as being a favourite of the likes of the late Sir Sean Connery, Sir Alex Ferguson and the late Prince Philip. As a child I grew up watching James Bond films and admiring Sir Sean, I never thought my work would end up in such a place of influence and somewhere that meant so much to him.

“For me, it is important as a Scottish contemporary artist that I’m seen to do everything that I can to promote my nation’s creative and cultural sector. I can only hope that I can do my bit.”

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Frank, who works from his studio in Glasgow, is known for creating unique art using gunpowder. He describes the material as ‘extremely challenging’ to work with and says he never knows how his final designs will turn out.

He added: “I don’t make it easy for myself. However, the challenge of working with gunpowder is worth it as that’s what really makes my pieces stand out from everyone else’s.

“I’ve had to really push myself to get the best out of it. I’m the type of person who will always look to the next challenge, but I suppose that’s why I’m so passionate about what I do. I like to push the boundaries.”

Frank says growing up in family of entrepreneurs helped spur him on to success. We previously reported he started working with gunpowder in 2016 having moved away from traditional oil painting - and his gamble soon paid off as he won an army of famous fans.

Frank added: “I met Sir Patrick Stewart while he was chancellor of the university where I was studying. He came along to see my work and we just hit it off.

“Since then, we’ve become good friends and he also collects my designs, which I still find incredible. For the last 15 years he has been very supportive and I’m very excited to be working on his new portrait.

“I’m fortunate to still be making a living in such tough economic times and it’s not something I take for granted. My family were always hard workers and seeing the struggle they went through really pushed me to get out in the world and try to always be my very best.”

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Frank has also represented Scotland at the Royal Ulster Academy and Royal West of England Academy annual exhibitions, describing his participation in both events as ‘very proud moments’.

The Caledonian Club was founded in 1892 to offer its members a little piece of Scotland in the heart of London. It has always prided itself on being seen as a welcoming ‘home-from-home’ for Scots away from the hustle and bustle of life in the capital.

Membership is open to all from north of the border, or those with a close association or empathy with Scotland and appreciation of its culture and traditions through work, family or education.

* Frank’s coloured gunpowder artwork is on show on sale in the Professional Artist Members’ Exhibition at the Caledonian Club from today until July 13.