Metal

Paul Howard and David Matthews were in residence at Metal in Chalkwell Hall, working in collaboration with Simon Poulter, developing a new work on the themes of water, global trade and commodification. The project extended the work that Paul and David initiated in Australia through a residency with The Lock Up Cultural Centre and the University of Newcastle in New South Wales. The project toured throughout 2011.

Paul Howard is an award-winning artist, curator and educator with over twenty years experience of exhibiting, programming, publishing and involving people in contemporary arts at regional, national and international levels.

He has shown his multimedia work in five continents, led Tate Modern's national grid and pan-European new technology projects and most recently was Senior Curator at the Casula Powerhouse in Sydney, as well undertaking residencies and exhibiting in the UK. His work is featured in the permanent exhibition, 'London, Sugar and Slavery' at the Museum of London in Docklands.

Paul is interested in challenging and questioning notions of cosmopolitanism and global cultural exchange. He explores their relationships with technology and media with reference to social and art histories. Paul likes 'The Three Wills': Hogarth, Kentridge and Old Man Shar.

David Matthews is an award-winning writer and journalist. He has published four books, including the critically acclaimed Looking for a Fight (short-listed for the 2001 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award), and has written for several national and international publications, including The Sunday Times, The Observer and Esquire. He has also presented and co-produced RTS-winning and BAFTA-nominated documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4 and Current TV, including the The Trouble With Black Men, Batty Man, Hutch: High Society's Favourite Gigolo and South Africa: Shoot to Kill. In 2007, he collaborated with artist Paul Howard on the groundbreaking video triptych 'Rush Hour', which has been exhibited at the Museum in Docklands, Harewood House, Plymouth Arts Centre, and MAC Birmingham. And aside from working on a new installation while in residency at Metal, he is researching a fifth book (on organised crime), and developing a television drama series with fellow writer, Julie Burchill.