William Arnold
Lecturer, Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)
William Arnold currently teaches on BA Marine & Natural History Photography.
He is an experimental, conceptual and documentary photographer, interested in the layers of human and natural history that comprise the making of the landscape, and the role played by the photograph in documenting time and change—the subjective and objective politics of places and their histories.
“William Arnold is an experimentalist, probing photography’s processes to break new ground… In these perilous times, his work considers the importance of ecologies, the everyday and the indispensable forces of nature.” - Val Williams (Professor of the History and Culture of Photography, London College of Communication)
His first monograph Suburban Herbarium was published by Uniformbooks (2020) and reprinted (2022) with his work showcased in various publications and periodicals including: The Guardian, New Scientist, De Standaard, Source and Resurgence & Ecologist Magazine.
The book SUNSPOTS (2023) was released on William Arnold’s own label Bare Pipes Press. The book is held in the collection of the National Art Library, V & A Museum, London.
William has worked in education in various roles for over 10 years and at various levels from A-Level to MA. He joined Falmouth in September 2022.
External Links
Qualifications
Qualifications
| Year | Qualification | Awarding body |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | MA Photography (Photography & The Land) | University of Plymouth |
| 2004 | BA (hons) History | University of Lancaster |
Research Interests
Research interests and expertise
William is interested in the layers of human and natural history that comprise the making of the landscape, and the role played by the photograph in documenting time and change—the subjective and objective politics of places and their histories.
Research topics
Wild Apples / Future Apples - plant blindness, the role of subjective taste in conservation and robust novel ecosystems.
Ritual Landscapes, the heritage industry, tourism and the housing crisis.
Areas of teaching
Photographic practice, techniques and context
Research Outputs
Publications and research outputs
-
William Arnold and Professor Val Williams
(2023), SUNSPOTS with essay Mortal Remains, Bare Pipes Press, ISBN: 978-1-3999-4434-2 -
William Arnold
(2022), Pioneers, In: Apples & People, Hereford Cider Museum/ National Trust -
William Arnold and Caitlin De Silvey
(2022), Graft Scars, In: Becoming Apple: Woven In Vegetal Fabric | On Plant Becomings Casino Luxembourg, Forum d’art contemporain, Luxembourg -
William Arnold
(2021), Photography & Culture, Vol 14, Issue 4 -
William Arnold
(2020), New Scientist, In: Suburban Herbarium, Print & online, Issue 3306 -
William Arnold and Frances Ambler
(2016), 'Oh Comely', 'To The Edgelands' feature, In: Suburban Herbarium, Issue 31
-
William Arnold and Professor Val Williams
(2020), Suburban Herbarium with foreword by Mark Cocker and essay by Professor Val William, Uniformbooks, ISBN: 978-1-910010-23-5 -
William Arnold and Aaron Kent
(2019), The Last Hundred, Guillemot Press -
William Arnold
(2018), CURCURBITA MAXIMUS, Antler Press -
William Arnold
(2016), Sacred & Absurd: Votive Offerings At The West Penwith Holy Wells, Antler Press -
William Arnold
(2014), Making Time, Self-published / Making Time Collective
-
William Arnold
(May, 2020), Review of Caught by the River by Rob St. John -
William Arnold and Ian Humberstone
(2016), Review of Sacred & Absurd by Ian Humberstone -
William Arnold
Source Photographic Review by Clare Grafik, Issue 102
-
William Arnold
(17 June, 2020), Suburban Herbarium centre-fold feature, De Standaard, Belgium -
William Arnold
(2 June, 2020), Suburban Herbarium centre-fold feature, The Guardian -
William Arnold
(2020), Resurgance & Ecologist Magazine, Tin Can-Firmament & Quarantine Herbarium -
William Arnold
(September 2017), Photo Primitive, Manor Magazine, Issue 21 -
William Arnold
(August 2017), Photographs from Living Spaces for an article by Edwin Heathcote, In: 'Possessed: The Dangers of The Digital Home', Financial Times Weekend -
William Arnold
(2016), Interview with Diva Harris, Caught By The River
Professional Engagement
Independent professional practice
Paper titled Future Apples / Edgeland Pioneers presented in the Future Geographies of Food panel at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Annual International Conference (2023).
Some Interesting Apples paper published for Wild Apple Workshop with Environment & Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter with essays by William Arnold, Professor Caitlin DeSilvey & James Fergusson (2023).
Recent Solo Exhibitions
2023
Sunspots - Kestle Barton Apple Store
Tides - An Tobar, Isle of Mull
2022
SEEDHENGE - Special Installation at Kestle Barton
Veg Et Alia - Grays Wharf, Penryn
2020
Newlyn & Exchange - The Engine Room at Exchange - various works
2018
Suburban Herbarium - Kestle Barton
Group Exhibitions
2023
Beyond Silver - curated by LAPC at Hive Gallery, Birmingham
2022
Habitats as Heritage - Kresen Kernow. Curated by Jane Darke & Andrew Tebbs.
2021
Thresholds (The Unamed) Anima Mundi
Tides - An Lanntair, Stornoway
2020
Radical Botany - Eden Project
2019
Sea Garden, Royal Albert Memorial Museum Exeter
Official Secrets | Cauliflower Fields at Backlane West with Robin Dowell and Mollie Goldstrom.
2018
Anima Mundi - Mixed Winter Exhibition
Muir Is Tir (Sea & Land) An Lanntair, Stornoway & Edinburgh College of Art
In Search of Darkness - Project Space, Grizedale Sculpture Park in association with Lumen Studios
2017
'O' - artdotearth - Dartington
Shadows II: Natural Transformations - London College of Communication
Photo Pioneer | Photo Primitive - St. John on Bethnal Green - in association with Photography and The Archive Research Centre, UAL, London
2014
MAKING TIME: New Photographic Constructions - Penwith Society Gallery, St. Ives - co-curator and exhibitor (Nick Hughes, Andy Hughes, Hannah Guy, William Arnold, Oliver Raymond-Barker)
Beyond The Camera - Pingyao International Photography Festival, China
2013
Royal Photographic Society - 156th Annual International Print Exhibition
2012
Magnum Photos, London – IdeasTap Photographic Award
Social, community and cultural engagement
Some Interesting Apples - Wild & Seedling Apple Taste Trials & Pomological Exhibition at Kestle Barton
Engagement with professional associations and societies
William is part of the Terra research cluster in within the Institute of Photography.
Professional esteem indicators
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Cultivator Creative Investment Grant - £3,500 |
| 2020 | Arts Council England - DYCP Grant - £10,000 |
| 2020 | Awen Medal - Gorsedh Kernow |
| Royal Photographic Society - 156th International Exhibition (2 photographs) |
|
| 2011 | Magnum Photos - Ideas Tap Award |
