REGIONAL NEWS by Drazen Jorgic, Citywire 25th November 2010

by Drazen Jorgic

Around 70 Adam and Co clients spent an evening in London networking and viewing a series of exhibitions about bottle art, bespoke furniture and painting. Jeremy Vaughan, associate directors of Adam and Co, said the client event at its offices gave the wealth management firm an opportunity to better understand the needs and goals of its clients and solidify manager-client relations. As well as networking with Adam and Co's managers, Bottle Top- an environmental craft charity that aims to alleviate poverty- spoke to Adam and Co investors about its unusual work. Meanwhile Glaswegian figurative painter Frank To (pictured) was also on hand to discuss his work, along with furniture designer Tim Gosling.

FRANK PUTS ART IN SHOP WINDOW By Caroline Wilson, The Evening Times 15th June 2010

By Caroline Wilson

A Glasgow-based artist hopes his unusual city centre exhibition will encourage people to invest in fine art.

Frank To, whose fans include Star Trek star Sir Patrick Stewart, is showing his latest works across the windows of a vacant shop as part of a major Glasgow City Council regeneration project.

The installation, on a three-storey building in St Vincent Street, is part of the £300,000 Style Mile initiative, which aims to help the city beat off competition from out-of-town shopping centres, attract tourists and fight the recession.

To's unique painting technique is earning him international recognition among art critics and high-profile collectors as a leading contemporary figurative painter.

The Falkirk-born painter hopes the shop project, which was backed by Braewell Galleries, will open up fine art to a wider audience and encourage more of the public to see art as a good investment.

He said: "Artists and galleries in Scotland are suffering due to people not buying art. It's not that people can't afford to. It's just that a majority are afraid to do so.

"As well as inspiring the general public with this kind of project, I'm hoping it will also encourage them to go to art galleries to view the actual work.

"With many investors reluctant to put their hard-earned savings into stocks and shares at present, fine art offers an attractive alternative asset. Depending on the artist, the value of art rarely falls over the medium to long term."

Born in 1982, To has exhibited alongside some of the greats of the international contemporary art scene, such as Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst.

His work has featured in several national art fairs and shows in Glasgow, London, Bath and Dundee and in various episodes of the STV detective drama Rebus.

For more information, please visit the official website of Frank To Fine Artist.

CITY ART By Ruth Walker, Spectrum Magazine, Scotland on Sunday, 13th June 2010

STREET ART

By Ruth Walker

NO- ONE likes to see empty shop units covered with flyers and graffiti. Which is why Glasgow City Council have commissioned a group of artists to decorate them instead. Artists featured in the past have included Peter Howson and Laetitia Guibaud, and this week Frank To will be joining the illustrious list. His distinctive work- collected by Star Trek legend and newly knighted Patrick Stewart- will be transferred on to large vinyl panels and fitted to the windows of 73 St Vincent Street. It's all part of the Glasgow Style Mile Regeneration project, collaboration between the council and Braewell Galleries. The properties are donated by the owners, which means the only cost is for the vinyl. To says: "Artists and galleries in Scotland are suffering due to people not buying art. It's not that people can't afford to. It's just that a majority are afraid to do so. As well as inspiring the general public with this kind of project, I'm hoping it will also encourage them to go to art galleries to view the actual work."

For more information, please visit the official website of Frank To Fine Artist.

RECESSION- HIT SHOP GIVE EXHIBITON SPACE TO CITY'S ARTICTIC TALLENTS By Mark Smith, The Scotsman 3rd June 2010

RECESSION- HIT SHOP GIVE EXHIBITON SPACE TO CITY'S ARTICTIC TALLENTS

By Mark Smith

THE blight of empty shops, with their soaped up windows and prominent To Let signs, has become a grim reminder of the recession in every city centre.

But now Scotland's biggest city has turned the growing number of empty shop fronts into an opportunity to promote talented young artists.

Glasgow is being transformed into an "open air art gallery" with vacant shop windows displaying artworks by up-and-coming painters alongside established figures such as Peter Howson.

The idea, inspired by artist Tracy Emin's takeover of a vacant shop during the early Nineties recession, is intended to cement the city's reputation as a hotbed of cultural activity.

Organisers also hope it will reduce the visual impact of the recession, encouraging shoppers to keep spending in those shops that survive the downturn.

One of the artists taking part, Frank To, will be displaying three pictures in an empty shop front in Glasgow's St Vincent Street, previously a food outlet.

Mr To, of Chinese origin but raised in Glasgow, said: "Every artist knows how difficult it can be to get work exhibited. Getting your stuff out there and seen is vital, it's the reason we do what we do.

"So having all these empty shops just sitting their doing nothing is frustrating for us. It's great to see something happening that allows us to use this empty space.

"Of course, if it can help improve the look and feel of the city, and encourage people to shop. It's quite depressing looking at rows and rows of empty shops. Hopefully we can brighten the city up a bit."

Jane Harrison, Glasgow's City Centre Initiatives Manager, said: "Vacant shop units are a magnet for fly posting and graffiti artists and this imaginative project keeps these empty units in the city centre looking presentable while prospective tenants are sought. It also allows dramatic artworks by Glasgow artists to be enjoyed by shoppers and visitors."

For more information, please visit the official website of Frank To Fine Artist.

NEWTON MEARNS ARTIST WILL SHINE AT GLASGOW ART FAIR BY KAYLEIGH MCLEOD By Kayleigh McLeod, EASTWOOD TODAY March 25th 2010

EAST Renfrewshire's art protégé Frank To will showcase his latest work at the internationally acclaimed Glasgow Art Fair.

The thought- provoking pieces of the Newton Mearns based artist will be available to buy at this weekend's exhibition.

Frank's most recent paintings depict psychoanalysis of professional football players.

The show, now in its 15th year, begins today (March 25) and will run until Sunday, March 28 at George Square.

The all day art fair is open from 10:30am until 6:30pm each day and until 8pm tonight.

The Glasgow Art Fair presents over 50 selected galleries and arts organisations from across Scotland, the UK and overseas to offer visitors a wide range of contemporary art, available to buy under one roof.

Marketed as the place to buy, sell and view art outside of London, the weekend fair is not to be missed.

To purchase tickets visit www.glasgowartfair.com where you can obtain a four day unlimited access ticket for just £12.

Tickets can also be purchased on the door £7/£5 and children under the age of ten go free.

For more information, please visit the official website of Frank To Fine Artist.

GALLERY'S TRIUMPHANT DEBUT AT FAIR By Joy Watters. THE DUNDEE COURIER April 1st 2010

DUNDEE'S QUEEN'S Gallery has returned triumphant from its debut at the Glasgow Art Fair, writes Joy Watters, arts reporter.

The country's most prestigious contemporary art fair outside London attracts a vast range of buyers and the Queens contribution did much to fly the flag for Dundee and the east coast with several ofthe featured artists either resident or having trained in the city.

Gallery owner Joyce McGlone said they had had their appetites whetted by art fairs before but this was their first time in Glasgow and they were delighted to have sold so much.

This year 46 selected galleries from Scotland, the UK, Europe and beyond showed work for sale by 1000 artists, emerging talent to well- established. Now in its 15th year, the fair is in the heart of the city housed in white tented pavilions in George Square.

One of the first sales for the Queens was a work by renowned painter Jack Knox, who after studying at Glasgow School of Art and Paris came to teach at Duncan of Jordanstone in 1965.

The work of Frank To also proved popular after training at Huddersfield he took a Masters at Duncan of Jordanstone. Strongly influenced by the Old Masters, is approach to painting involves careful preparation of the canvas and he won the Deloitte Prize at the SSA exhibition in Dundee last year.

Catriona Miller has become one of the country's most prominent and original iconic painters and provoked a lot of interest at the Queens stand. She is now collected worldwide and since her sell- out degree show in 2005 at Gray's Aberdeen has become a favourite with the contemporary art buying public.

"It was gratifying that the work was so well received. A lot of people are now using the Scottish Art Council's Own Art scheme for purchasing work which offers interest- free credit up to £2000," said Joyce.

Anyone wanting to see the sort of work that took the buyers' fancy can visit the Queens Gallery in the Nethergate where on show is Paul Telford in a mixed exhibition. It runs until April 17.

For more information, please visit the official website of Frank To Fine Artist.

WELCOME TO MY WORLD by Ruth Walker, SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY March 21st 2010

Interview by Ruth Walker

Photograph by Robert Perry

YOUNG Scottish figurative artist Frank To has exhibited alongside the likes of Damien Hirst and Peter Howson, and has a number of high-profile collectors, including Star Trek legend Patrick Stewart.

He will be taking part in Glasgow Art Fair Thursday to next Sunday, with a series of work based on the psychoanalysis of football culture. To find out more, see www.franktofineart.com.

Describe your perfect weekend

Playing poker with some friends - I like being manipulative and devious. Or maybe a saki night, but not the two together: when I'm playing poker I'm in to win.

What would you do if you ruled the world?

Install some kind of grant system for graduates of art and design courses because I don't think there's enough support for them out there to make it out on their own; they're just left to their own devices and I know how difficult it can be.

What one thing would improve your life?

If I took care of myself a bit better, because I have a habit of working myself into the ground. Sometimes I feel ill because of it, and my caffeine levels are sky-high. Recently I worked three days straight.

Who did you last receive a text from and what did it say?

I just received a text from my best friend Tony O'Reilly saying: "Arrogance has to be earned, what have you done to earn yours, Frank?" I think it was because in our last poker game I was quite arrogant.

What's your guiltiest pleasure?

Alcoholic ice-cream. The first time I tried it was in the States and it was absolutely delicious - but it was only when I started to feel a bit happy that I realised there was Scotch in it.

When did you last feel sorry for yourself?

When I crashed my car. It was very icy, and I drove into a bollard, then a red Rover crashed into me.

What do you wish you'd never done?

Accidentally destroyed a rival's work at art school. The caretakers were clearing up and everyone had their work for the degree show in there. I used to come in quite smart-looking anyway, and I looked like a lecturer that day - the caretaker asked if I was in charge so I jokingly said yes. Then they asked if I wanted all the rubbish cleared out of the corridor, so I said, "Yes, go ahead." I didn't realise my rival's paintings were drying out there. He hasn't found out so far...

Would your mother be proud of you?

Yes, but she worries that I work too hard. She thinks I make myself quite ill.

Who would you like to say sorry to?

My ex-girlfriend. She didn't always see the best side of me and it's only recently that I've realised she was trying to make me a better person.

Who does the cleaning in your house?

That would be me - I'm an absolute clean freak.

What's the most you've ever spent on a purchase, apart from a car or property?

Probably my first trip to New York on my own. I was going to make contacts back in 2007, but it was money well spent because that's when I met my New York art dealer, who now has my work hung beside a Picasso and a Warhol.

What is your earliest memory?

My mum drawing Mickey Mouse on a chalk board back in the 1980s. I must have been about two or three. I think it was that which probably made me want to become an artist.

What song is the theme tune to your life?

Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Edward Norton, because he has that geeky look, but he can also portray the tough guy.

Should you vote? If yes, how did you vote?

I voted for the SNP because they abolished the parking fees in hospitals. I had to drive my brother to hospital when he was dying of cancer and there were times I was cracking up about it.

What worries you in the wee small hours?

My next deadline.

When were you last naked in front of another person?

That would be my ex.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

Simon Burton - my lecturer in Yorkshire. He saw me as someone who had potential, and encouraged me to be what I am today, which is an emotional painter.

Who is your fantasy date?

It would be someone who can outwit me, but also someone who can understand my persona. I can be fun, quirky, a bit sarky, but when I'm working I can be more serious and a bit like Batman - I have a dark side, but I only show it through my work.

What is your most treasured possession?

A piece of artwork given to me by a lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone, Harvey Duke. It was a large mono print, and he gave it to me on the basis that we had a shared friendship and similar views on art in general. I think he saw a younger side of himself in me.

What do you remember better, your first car or first kiss?

My first kiss - because she bit me. She actually drew blood!

What has been your greatest achievement?

Doing what I'm doing and not failing financially. That's the best thing I can hope for.

How old are you?

27

For more information, please visit the official website of Frank To Fine Artist.