Michael Forbes is an artist and co-founder of Primary, an artist studio complex in Nottingham, where he served as Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2006–2011 and 2017–2024. In 2018, Primary joined the Arts Council England National Portfolio, and in 2020, with support from Arts Council England and Nottingham City Council, we secured the building’s freehold, ensuring long-term studio spaces for over 50 creatives. 

Forbes played a key role in establishing the New Art Exchange, Nottingham, and shaping its early programming. Additionally, he co-founded RCA Black, a platform supporting black students at the Royal College of Art through networking, mentoring, scholarships, and advocacy. Forbes also collaborated with Nottingham Trent University to develop scholarships for black artists in their MA Fine Art programme.

Education 

2018 - 2020  Royal College of Art, MA Sculpture 

2009 - 2011  Landmark Education - Curriculum for Living 

1995 - 1998  Nottingham Trent University, BA (Hons) Photography

1994 - 1995  West Notts College, BTEC Foundation Art & Design

 

Exhibitions (selected)

2023  Want the World to Know, (solo exhibition) Saatchi Gallery, London 

2023  Ingram Art Prize 

2023  Christies' / 1-54 Transatlantic Connections: Caribbean Narratives in Contemporary Art

2022  Blk This & Blk That... a state of urgency, (solo exhibition) Djanogly Gallery, Lakeside, University of Nottingham

2021  The World is a Work in Progress, Attenborough Arts Centre, University of Leicester

2021  Cut & Mix: Visual Representations of Black British Masculine Identities, The New Art Exchange, Nottingham

2021  Space Lapse: RCA Sculpture 2020,  Royal Sculpture Society, London 

2020  London Grads Now, Saatchi Gallery, London 

2020  Tomorrow: London, White Cube Gallery, London

2020  RCA2020    Royal College of Art, Degree Show 

2018  Reformation: at Guest Project Nadim Chaudry, Michael Forbes, Barbara Walker

2018  Diaspora Pavilion I Venice to Wolverhampton - Wolverhampton Art Gallery

2017  Venice Art Biennale - Diaspora Platform - International Curators Forum, at Palazzo Santa Marina

2016  Nottingham Castle Open - Winner of the Nottingham Castle purchase prize 

2016  Untitled, Harley Gallery, Welbeck Estate, Nottinghamshire 

2015  Acquisition, Quad, Derby

2014  Since 1843: In the Making, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham

 

Residency / Mentoring / Awards

2020 - 2024 Associate Artist, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

2021  Selector for UK Robert Walters New Artists Art Prize - £10,000 1st prize, £5,000 2nd prize at Saatchi Gallery 

2021  Selector for Kensington & Chelsea Art Week

2020  Arts Council England DYCP Grant Award

2018 / 20 Rose Finn-Kelcey Scholarship at RCA

2018   Nominated for the Paul Hamlyn Artist Awards   

2017   Winner of Black Achievers Award for Arts, Media and Culture 

2016 - 2018 The International Curators Forum (ICF), in partnership with University of the Arts London (UAL) Mentor: Director of International Curators Forum, David A Bailey

2011  International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP), New York

 

Curatorial Projects

2018  Reformation at Guest Project: Nadim Chaudry, Michael Forbes, Barbara Walker RA, MBE

2012  Untitled, Primary,  Nottingham

2010  Because I Can, 'Pop Up' found space,  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, Nott'm

2007  The Redemptive Beauty Of Life After Death, The Bonington Gallery, Nottingham

2002  There Is No Redemption, Bonington Gallery,  Nottingham

2001  Blood Babies, Cryprien Tokoudagba & Elshaday Berhane, The Art Exchange, Nottingham 

2000  Fixation, Johannes Phokela, The Art Exchange, Nottingham 

1999  Slave To Champ, Godfried Donkor, The Art Exchange, Nottingham

www.michaelforbes.org.uk