A new year-round public art programme on Bermondsey Square

Forma, 15 Bermondsey Square
Launching 8 February 2025

Forma at 15 Bermondsey Square hosts a rolling programme of public art interventions. Curated in dialogue with FormaHQ’s residency and events programmes, the 14-meter glass-fronted space offers a 24/7 platform that brings innovative, artist-driven visions to life, enriching Bermondsey’s cultural landscape and creating a space where art and audience intersect meaningfully.

Located in the heart of Bermondsey, this new initiative gives artists the opportunity to showcase work in the public realm, having researched and developed their practice within the community just five minutes away at FormaHQ. Building on the legacy of VITRINE, 15 Bermondsey Square will expand upon Forma’s commitment to nurture long-term artistic relationships and promote global perspectives that address contemporary social and environmental issues, creating open cross-cultural dialogue.

The Forma team would like to extend a very special thank you to Alys Williams, Founder of VITRINE, who directed the space for fourteen years and has since entrusted Forma as its new guardian.

Alys Williams, says:

Since VITRINE’s inception in 2010, the window at Bermondsey Square has been a space of immense potential for innovation and experimentation in exhibition-making and audience engagement. As this chapter comes to a close, I am thrilled to pass the space to FORMA, an artist-focused commissioning organisation and charity with a renowned history of producing pioneering interdisciplinary projects and supporting diverse artistic visions. I am confident they will develop exciting new collaborations, embrace fresh curatorial challenges, and champion emerging artists in creating ambitious, site-responsive exhibitions.

We’re delighted that the space will launch with a new site-specific installation by London-based artist duo Athen Kardashian and Nina Mhach Durban, whose vibrant and culturally resonant practice will set the stage for a dynamic year-round programme. Athen and Nina’s new installation, Captive Heart, continues the artists’ exploration of diasporic identity, personal cultural heritage and popular culture. Working from FormaHQ studios throughout January 2025, the collaboration marks the first in a series of public interventions developed at HQ and presented at Bermondsey Square.

Chris Rawcliffe, Artistic Director, Forma:

As we deepen our artistic collaborations in 2025, we’re proud to amplify the voices of groundbreaking artists while continuing to connect with the vibrant Southwark community. We’re so very grateful to have been entrusted as the new guardians of the gallery, and couldn’t think of a better artist duo to kick off this new venture with.

Captive Heart opens on 8 February 2025. With more programming to be announced.