SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY January 17th 2010
TO BOLDLY GOES WHERE FEW ARTISTS HAVE GONE BEFORE
By Rosemary Gallagher
ACCLAIMED Glasgow artist Frank To - who counts Sir Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame among his collectors - has continued to profit in the recession by promoting his work while many of his peers retreated.
The
27-year-old said he realised at an early stage he had to focus on marketing as
well as developing as an artist. He established his business in 2006 with his
own money and support from Business Gateway, the Prince's Scottish Youth
Business Trust and Royal Bank of Scotland.
In 2007 to 2008, To made a profit of about £24,000, up from £10,000 the
previous year.
He said: "The main reason for the dramatic increase in profits was that I
was beginning to achieve a respectable reputation as a young Scottish art
graduate gaining a celebrity following. Despite the success I had in 2007-08, I
knew the UK would eventually follow suit with America's downturn."
To prepare for the recession, he started budgeting and splitting his finances
to concentrate on certain parts of his business, such as marketing.
All creative arts have been hit by the downturn and To's business has not been
unscathed. Profits fell to about £10,000 in 2008/9, but he said they are set to
rise to at least £18,000 this year.
He has gained corporate business, partly on the back of winning the award of
most promising emerging Scottish artist last year from accountancy and
consulting firm Deloitte & Touche.
To's work is included in the New Faces Revisited exhibition which opened this
weekend at Leith Gallery in Edinburgh.
He is also part of the spring exhibition opening next month at Edinburgh bar,
restaurant and hotel Hawke & Hunter.