“The time I spent at Metal gave me a particular type of space to inhabit, that was the catalyst for me to locate a courage that enabled me to go further than I had ever imagined to make Showcase for the Hip Festival. It is one of the most important works I have made to date”. Noel Wallace, artist

Noel’s journey with Metal began with an introduction via Dennis Morris.  Dennis had always admired Noel’s work, and Metal was able to create an opportunity for them to collaborate creatively together in a way which could inform both artist’s practice.  Noel helped Dennis re-interpret his status as an artist via the creation of a film piece which took its starting point from Dennis’ early photographs.  He also choreographed and performed a new dance piece using the same references.

Noel’s connection with Metal was a very positive experience for him artistically – it encouraged him to articulate his current thinking in a way that he had not experienced before.  An immediate result was that, supported by Metal, Noel felt able to confront his artistic fear and perform a ‘non-performance’ at the Hip Dance Festival in November 2003 as a very personal statement about his feelings of segregating ‘black’ arts from arts.  He acknowledges that without his experience at Metal, this piece of work would not have happened.

Noel asked to be considered for his own residency at Metal in July 2004 to have time, space and support for an investigation into a new creative direction.  As a vegan, Noel has learnt how to eat well to maintain the strength and suppleness his body requires as a dancer.  He has become increasingly interested in the possibility of a link between nutrition and creativity.

If inspiration is a feeling, and feelings and behaviour are affected by what we eat, then can food alter the creative actions we take in response to that inspiration?  By truly understanding and nourishing the body and mind could we, through lucidity create our best work?  Noel’s residency at Metal is the beginning of his journey of investigation into these questions.