Souls of the Diaspora, Michael Forbes
Michael Forbes
Resident Artist
STUDIO TBC
www.michaelforbes.org.uk
Michael is a founding member of Nottingham Studios Group and has just recently completed a year-long residency at the International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP), New York. Following his residency in New York, Forbes will have work included the exhibition, Next Generation: Contemporary American Photography at Pasinger Fabrik and Amerika Haus in Munich later this year.
Forbes is inspired to make art, which explores his individual and cultural existence and its relationship to history, therefore his work is influenced by the relationship between Europe and Africa and the affect this has had on world history and contemporary life.
The Black Diaspora plays an important part in his everyday thinking in many arenas, such as Social & Political issues around Education, Poverty, Race, Masculinity, Fashion, Wealth and the nature of Success, therefore these issues are embedded in his work, for example, in ‘Souls of the Diaspora’ which started life as a photo documentary project on teenagers; focusing on their interactions, peer pressure, fashion and their bodies… eventually evolved into a project that explores the Black Diaspora and the migration of cultural roots and human DNA. The visual representation of DNA (the double helix) is used as an aesthetic tool to create abstract layers to the final images.
Forbes re-appropriates images and objects to help him discuss areas of interest, such as diversity and difference, whilst acknowledging history for all its foibles and achievements. The work he presents, celebrates the results of our collective histories, whilst being very much about the here and now.
Forbes artistic practice is complimented by curating contemporary exhibitions and events, which includes, developing projects that reflect his visual, intellectual and aesthetic values and support his ethos that good art comes from talent and rigor. He is interested in critical dialogues and ideas with substance, which follow through to making visually engaging work.
To develop his curatorial practice further Forbes is planning on working with a select number of talented British artists, in presenting their work nationally and Internationally.
Forbes is also in the process of developing a mentoring programme, with a focus on supporting young Black males, between the ages 16 – 30, in the Arts, Architecture and Education. With this work he will work with a number of partners, to raise the aspirations and opportunities for the young people.
Exhibitions (selected)
2012 Next Generation: Contemporary American Photography, Pasinger Fabrik Amerika Haus, Munich
2012 CPT:Time, History and Memory, Gallatin Galleries, New York
2011 Metropolitan Wonderland, ISCP, New York
2011 Souls Of The Diaspora, ISCP, New York
2010 Because I Can, Nottingham
2008 Next We Change Earth, The New Art Exchange, Nottingham
2007 The Redemptive Beauty Of Life After Death, The Bonington Gallery, Nottingham
2006 When Men And Mountain Meet, Gallery One, Zagreb
2006 Mostyn 2006 Open Exhibition, Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno
2003 Celebration Of Death, Photo Club Zagreb, Zagreb
Curatorial Projects
2010 Because I Can, Nottingham
2010 Inconsistency Of Everything, Harminder Singh Judge, New Art Exchange, Nottingham
2009 Strength Of Feeling, Sokari Douglas Camp, New Art Exchange, Nottingham
2008 Next We Change Earth, The New Art Exchange, Nottingham
2008 Once Upon A Time In The West There Was Lace, Godfried Donkor, Yard Gallery, Nottingham
2007 The Redemptive Beauty Of Life After Death, The Bonington Gallery, Nottingham
2002 There Is No Redemption, Bonington Gallery, Nottingham
Residency
2011 International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP), New York.
2002 British Council, Jamaica
