Metal asked the acclaimed writer, artist and archivist, Rachel Lichtenstein to come into residence with Metal, to help us understand the atmosphere and history surrounding Chalkwell Hall prior to, and during, the renovation work on the house. 

Using a number of methodologies that included rigorous research, the collection of oral histories, film, found objects and audio recordings, Rachel wrote a comprehensive essay on the history of Metal’s Chalkwell Hall (the 3rd house built with that name), that traces the owners, tenants and occupants of Chalkwell Estate back to the 14th Century.

To accompany the essay, Rachel also worked with film maker Sean Groth on a short film that traces her journey discovering the extent of the Chalkwell Estate, the locations of the two original Chalkwell Hall’s, as well as a glimpse into some of the eccentric characters that have been key to Chalkwell’s history over the years. 

To download a pdf of Rachel’s essay, please click here.

Short Biography

In 1999 Rachel Lichtenstein wrote, with Iain Sinclair Rodinsky's Room, since then she has published Rodinsky's Whitechapel (1999), and On Brick Lane (2007). This last will be joined by two other books, Hatton Garden and Portobello Road to form a trilogy on London street markets.

In 2003, she became the British Library's first Pearson Creative Research Fellow, producing a work entitled Add. 17469: A Little Dust Whispered – both as an installation within the Library, and a subsequent book.