To Sangbong was born in Heung Won in South Ham Kyung Province, graduated from the Tokyo University of Arts in the Western-style painting division in 1927, and had twenty one-person exhibitions during the years 1930 to 1975. His paintings were exhibited regularly in the "National" exhibitions in Seoul from 1949 to 1961. He also participated in the "Korean Modern Art" exhibition at the World House Gallery in New York in 1957. He has receivbed several awards for his work including the Korean Cultural Award and the Mo Ran Jang Award, both in 1970.