Franko B is available for teaching. For enquires about any aspect of my work including education please contact frankobartist@yahoo.co.uk.

Over the last twenty years or so, I have developed various ways of working, within a range of Fine Art contexts, using painting, sculpture, photography, installation, video, sound and text. I have presented this work in many prestigious institutions across Europe - including Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool, ICA, Beaconsfield (London), South London Gallery, Arnolfini (Bristol), the Crawford Municipal Gallery (Cork), PAC (Pavilion of Contemporary Art) (Milan) and the Palais de Beaux Arts (Brussels).

My approach to teaching has developed alongside my visual art practice, and I continue to gain experience and develop expertise through numerous outlets. I have run many workshops in visual art and performance in universities and other arts organizations across Europe, and mentored seventeen young artists as part of a year-long professional development mentoring scheme, which was realized in association with Arts Admin in 2005-6, and again in 2006-7. I have lectured widely, including at Ruskin School of Art (Oxford), St Martins College (London), Chelsea College of Art (London), New York University, Courtauld Institute (London), Das Art (Amsterdam), Goldsmiths College of Art (London), Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art (Dundee) and Zurich University of the Arts. Since January 2009, I have held the position of professor of sculpture / head of the sculpture department at the Accademia di Belle Arti (School of Art) in Macerata, Italy.

I received a First Class BA (hons) degree in Fine Art and Alternative Learning Media from Chelsea College of Art in 1990, a post-graduate diploma in Fine Art Media from Byam Shaw School of Art in 1991, and in 2010, I was awarded an honorary Masters degree in Communication and Art Teaching from Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera (Milan).

My current commitment is in Macerata, Italy at the accademia di belle arti where I'm a professor of sculpture four days a month. During my time away from the school, I stay in touch with my students through our blog www.franko-class.blogspot.com, which I set up when I started in the position, and has proven to be an indispensable tool for us to engage with each other, share research, references, ideas and links, as well as making them (and the academy) visible to the outside world and initiating interaction with other agencies. All of my students are encouraged to regularly present documentation of their practical and written work on this platform.

My experience of teaching in Italy has been challenging but rewarding. The changes I have made to the course structure have required working closely with my colleagues, and I have learned that close collaboration among staff and consulting with students is vital in delivering a coherent and beneficial curriculum.

Teaching and mentoring have always been central to my practice - I do not see these as separate, but rather as a vital component of my work, and a continual source of inspiration.

Photo by Adinda Putri Palma