THEY say that artists can anticipate the zeitgeist and that certainly seems to be the case with Frank To, the young Glasgow-based artist with a growing international reputation as a leading contemporary figurative painter.
No sooner had he opened his first major art show for two years, featuring a series of paintings depicting the mediaeval plague doctors, which have fascinated the artist for the last three years, than a breakthrough in a cure for the bubonic plague was announced by Albany Medical College in New York.
Says a spokesperson: “The breakthrough works by building up resistance to disease in the nasal passages and stopping the infection taking hold in the body. It could offer protection to flu pandemics such as swine flu and bird flu as well as biological threats to life including the bubonic plague.”
To said that his mediaeval plague doctor exhibition is inspired by his fascination with the imagery and historical context of the subject and the relevance of plague doctors to the modern world.
“This exhibition was inspired by the growing incidence of biological threats and viral pandemics arising over recent years and it’s fascinating to hear that scientists have just discovered new ways to protect against such diseases. Perhaps I sniffed a cure for bubonic plague in the air!
“Yes despite this scientific breakthrough, I continue to find it fascinating that, hundreds of years ago, town and city councils paid fortunes to plague doctors to aid sufferers, whilst today, in stark contrast, despite Scotland having some of the world’s leading specialist units for the treatment of infectious diseases, we are seeing the NHS subjected to radical cost-cutting reforms.”
Frank To’s ‘The Human Condition’ exhibition comprises a series of figurative paintings, predominantly oil on canvas with two self-portraits using mixed media on paper.
Showing at The Leith Gallery in Edinburgh from 1-30 April, ‘The Human Condition’ features 22 paintings ranging in size from 14cm x 14cm up to 80cm x 110cm and in price from £550 up to £5000.
ENDS
For further information please contact Frank To on tel 07796 312613
Issued on behalf of Frank To Fine Art by Liquorice Media tel 0141 561 4018 www.liquorice-media.com
Date 18th April 2011
Notes to Editors
- Born in Falkirk in 1982, To graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a BA (Hons) Fine Art before going on to gain a Masters of Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone Art College where his tutor was Calum Colvin. In recent years he has exhibited alongside some of the greats of the international art scene, including Banksy, Jimmy Choo and Antony Gormley.
- His work has featured in several national art fairs and shows in Bath, Harrogate, London, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow and in the collection of Dundee University.
- Amongst To’s most famous collectors are Sir Patrick Stewart, the celebrated actor, and Deloitte.
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