Chris Matthews

Chris Matthews

River Trent History Walk

October, 2007

For the boat launch, at the projects inception in October 2006, local historian, filmmaker and artist Chris Matthews guided people through the hinterland of Nottingham enlightening participants with facts and anecdotes about the geographical site and some of the artists site specific works. Starting at Wilford Church, the walk ended in Colwick where walkers boarded the Hinterland boat launch.

Uncovering the history of the River Trent at Nottingham; a landscape threatened by floods, criss-crossed by Anglo-Saxon boundaries, a vista of Victorian Leisure and the English north-south divide. This is the hinterland of Nottingham, a county capital and regional centre of the East Midlands - find out how the Trent has continued to be central to the culture of the region for over two thousand years. Chris Matthews

The Big View

September, 2007

In 2007, Matthews devised and narrated an animated film project in response to Nottingham from the East, a painting by Seventeenth Century Dutch landscape artist, Jan Sieberechts.  This contemporary look at the panoramic view of the city and the course of the ancient River Trent from the parapets of  Nottingham Castle was created by Nottingham children and young people, and visitors to the Museum and Art Gallery. Participants took part in this stop-frame animation workshop and learnt about the changes throughout history made by agricultural and industrial developments.


Matthews combines local historical research with multimedia, art and design through researching the history of different localities. His work as an historian manifests itself through the creation of podcasts, videos, reports, tours, animations, events and educational workshops. Taking the approach of an artist and designer first and historical researcher second, Matthews’ practice also encompases graphic design, typography, and even the odd club night. Previous clients have included local government, galleries, artists and TV.