Malcolm Arbuthnot British, 1897-1967

Born in Suffolk, he did not take up painting seriously until he was in his thirties. As a young man he was an important and innovative photographer and was a member of The Linked Ring group of avant-garde photographers and was closely associated with Alvin Langdon Coburn. He set up his own photographic studio in 1906 and worked freelance for papers such as Illustrated London News and Sketch and he became a prominent portrait photographer. When commissioned by the Goupil Gallery to photograph notable artists of the day, he came into contact with Wyndham Lewis and the Vorticists who were to influence his painting style. In 1914 he was a signatory to the Vorticist manifesto and was active in the promotion of Post-Impressionism, arranging an exhibition in Liverpool. After the First World War he closed his photographic studio and concentrated exclusively on painting and sculpture developing a stylised cubist style using strong colour. While living in France he showed some bronzes at the Paris Salon, and he was also to show at the RA, ROI, Leicester Galleries and extensively elsewhere. He had a one-man show at the Fine Art Society and after his death an exhibition was staged by the Grabowski Gallery. He spent the last years of his life living at La Houle in Jersey. Arbuthnot's work is held by public collections including the Victoria & Albert Museum and Salford Art Gallery.

1874 Born in Suffolk; introduced to painting by his mother.

1890 Studied Painting with C A Brindley.

1895 Given a 'good' camera and began to take photography seriously.

1896 First photograph published in Graphic.

1907 Elected to the Linked Ring Monement in Photography, becoming an influential Member.

1910 Joined the life class at the Sandon Club.

1913 Organised a Post Impressionist exhibition at the Sandon Studios, Liverpool.

1914 Moved to London; met Wyndham Lewis, Wadsworth, Etchells and other Vorticists. Lewis saw his paintings and invited him to become a signatory of the Vorticist manifesto Blast.

1914-26 Held a successful photographic studio in Bond Street where he dealt with many of the artistic circles of the day including Bernard Shaw, Noel Coward, Sarah Bernhardt, Henri Matisse, Augustus John, Diaghileff and William Nicholson. Became a friend of Nicholson, who encouraged him with his painting. In '26 he gave up the studio to concentrate on painting.

1926-33 Lived much of the time in France where he painted with J D Ferguson.

1933 Moved to Jersey, where he lived for the rest of his life aside from leaving during the German Occupation.

1934 Exhibited two bronzes at the Paris Salon.

1937 One Man Exhibition at the Fine Art Society, London.

1939 Elected Fellow of the RSA.

1944 Elected Member of the RI.

1967 Died in St Aubin.