Modern Forms, founded in 2016 by collector Hussam Otaibi, is a private collection and curatorial platform. Nick Hackworth is its founding Curator.
Modern Forms is dedicated to supporting outstanding contemporary art though a program of acquisitions, donations and collaborations with artists and art institutions.
The core of the collection comprises key works by emerging and mid-career artists including; Samara Scott, Charles Harlan, Daniel Crews-Chubb, Leandro Feal, Petra Cortright, Hannah Perry, Johanna Unzueta, Ali Emir Tapan, Sol Calero, Emma Hart, Gabriele Beveridge, Annie Morris, Madeleine Roger Lacan and Zak Ové. Additionally the collection includes works by established artists including Tracey Emin, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Walead Beshty, John Gerrard, Rodney Graham and Ibrahim El Salahi.
Modern Forms’ curatorial and critical activities are activated through its online program, collaborations and interventions.
In tandem with Floreat Groups’ sponsorship of the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, in 2016 and 2017, Modern Forms presented special projects by Ibrahim El Salahi and Emeka Ogboh, the latter being a newly commissioned sound work.
Modern Forms worked also with the Tate to acquire and donate to Tate Collection, Ogboh’s major work The Way Earthly Things Are Going which premiered at documenta 14. The work was presented at Tate Modern, December 2017 – February 2018.
Modern Forms’ talks program, which included a series of collaborative events with ArtReview exploring the subject of complexity and emergence, has featured; Marguerite Humeau, Jake Chapman, Marina Warner, Marc Davis, Mark Cousins and Carolina Mazzolari amongst others.
Recently Modern Forms has focused on philanthropy and activism in response to the needs of our times.
In late 2019, in collaboration with Central Saint Martins and Kingston School of Art, Modern Forms founded Credit, a project supporting London’s emerging art scene through creative, discursive and structural interventions. In December 2020, it launched Credit X, the first dedicated map and database of emerging art spaces in London.
In solidarity with the NHS and its staff during the pandemic, Modern Forms, in collaboration with artist Shezad Dawood and the charity Vital Arts, launched #100NHSRooms. The initiative sourced one hundred new art works, generously donated by artists, both local and International.
At present Modern Forms is focused on driving its Credit project forward and is working with the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam on the donation and presentation of a major video work by Oliver Laric.