THE SCOTSMAN April 18th 2009
SCOTS ARTIST WHO CAUGHT PATRICK'S EYE
By Tim Cornwell
ACTOR Patrick Stewart took time out from a "marvellous" run in
Edinburgh this week to visit an exhibition at the Leith Gallery featuring Frank
To, a young Scottish artist whose work he collects.
Stewart has been buying art for 20 years, he said, including five works by To.
"This is my private passion. I like to have pictures around me, I have two
homes and I've run out of wallspace."
The two men first met at Huddersfield University, where Stewart is chancellor.
Falkirk-born To, 26, was a student there before returning to Scotland to do his
masters at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee.
He has since shown work alongside Peter Howson and Damien Hirst.
"I think he's very gifted, and I'm delighted he's beginning to get an
international audience," Stewart said. "He's adventurous and bold,
and not afraid of a big canvas."
To's portrait of the actor is on sale as part of the show, for £1,700, the last
of three he completed.