| 1921 |
born Addlestone, Surrey 7th July. ( His father was an architect). |
| |
educated at Westminster School. Remembers regular visits to the Tate Gallery and as a boy is particularly impressed by the portrait of Lytton Strachey by Henry Lamb. Boyhood also influenced by the rapid development of modern aviation and Finn's ambitions on leaving school are to be an artist, to fly and to have a family. |
| 1938-42 |
studied at Kingston Art School. |
| 1942 |
Joins Royal Air Force and begins pilot training in Canada. |
| 1943 |
gains 'wings'; assessed as above average pilot and completes further twin engine training on Hudsons. Returns to UK and marries ex fellow art student Cecily (Cely) Bailey. |
| 1944/45 |
Converts to Dakotas. In summer joins 512 Sqn and becomes operational at time of the advance into Normandy. Support flying across Northern Europe with Transport Command including the Arnhem operations. |
| 1945/46 |
271 Sqn -as war in Europe ends- general theatre support then flight testing Dakotas -on standby for Far East Campaign. First child born. War ends. |
| 1946 |
June- completes last flight and leaves RAF. |
| 1946-49 |
Studied at Royal College of Art under Carel Weight RA. |
| 1949-58 |
Taught at Somerset College of Art, Taunton. Exhibits at Royal West of England Academy, Bristol. |
| 1958-72 |
Principal Falmouth School of Art, Cornwall. Builds reputation of the School nationally as a leading art school and becomes friends with many of the St Ives artists, notably Hepworth, Heron, Wynter Lanyon & Weschke,who become involved as visiting lecturers or Governors. |
| 1972 |
Appointed Principal Bath Academy of Art (Corsham) and builds it's reputation. Many leading British artists become involved. |
| 1978 |
Solo Exhibition at Festival Gallery in Bath (paintings 1970-78). |
| 1982 |
retires from Art education and moves with Cely to Tregeseal House, St Just near Land's End. Begins to paint full time. Elected member of Newlyn Society of Artists and Penwith Society of Arts. Shows in mixed exhibitions at Newlyn and St Ives. |
| 1987 |
solo exhibition of paintings and constructions at Salt House Gallery, St Ives. |
| 1989 |
first major solo exhibition of paintings and crucifixes organised by Newlyn Orion at Newlyn Art Gallery, Penzance. |
| 1990 |
solo exhibition at 'Wolf at the Door Gallery' Penzance. |
| 1993 |
paintings and crucifixes at David Messum Gallery, Cork St. London. |
| 1996 |
exhibits with David Messum, London. |
| 1996 |
May- July major exhibition of works installed in Truro Cathedral. |
| 2001 |
Jan,Feb,March -major exhibition at Newlyn Art Gallery and Falmouth Art Gallery. |
| 2001 |
Northern Light Gallery, Huddersfield. Joint exhibition with Jeremy Le Grice. |
| 2002 |
8th February -death of Cely. 24th March Michael Finn dies at The Edward Hain Hospital -St Ives. |
| 2007 |
March 2007 Selected paintings - solo exhibition at Lemon Street Gallery, Truro. |
| Collections |
The Tate Gallery, Cornwall County Council Schools Collection, University College Falmouth, Blackfriars Oxford, Church of Our Lady of the Portal Truro, Private Collections in UK, Australia,Canada, Sweden and Switzerland. |
| Bibliography |
see website. |
