Darkroom Dialogues with Jess Holdengarde and Morwenna Kearsley

Join the University Art Collection and the Stirling Photography Festival for an in-conversation between Jess Holdengarde and Morwenna Kearsley exploring the darkroom as a space within their practices.

Drawing on their respective projects at The University of Stirling this year, they will reflect on analogue photographic processes, interdisciplinary methodologies, and how darkroom encounters shape artistic inquiry and interdisciplinary research methods.

After the talk, there will also be an opportunity to view Jess's new exhibition, created during her time at the University of Stirling Artist in Residence. 

About Morwenna 

Morwenna Kearsley is a visual artist and researcher based in Glasgow. Primarily working with photography, text and moving image, her research positions the interior of the camera and the darkroom as interconnected, revelatory spaces where darkness and the occasional presence of light is the fundamental, transformational force.

She is currently a PhD candidate at the Centre for the Sciences of Place and Memory at the University of Stirling, where she is researching the role of darkness in the construction of memories and photographs.

She has worked as a lecturer in photography at The Glasgow School of Art and at Cumbria University and is a longstanding tutor for Stills School (Edinburgh). Recent exhibitions include APPARATUS, StrangeField (2024), Perilous, Glasgow Project Rooms (2022), Faux Posters, Ester Krumbachová Retrospective, Czech Republic (2021), Ambit: Photographies from Scotland, Stills, Edinburgh (2019). She was selected for Plat(t)form, Fotomuseum Winterthur, Switzerland (2025) and has undertaken many residencies including at Street Level Photoworks (Glasgow) Cove Park (Argyll), Perth Museum (Scotland) and Fondazione Fotografia, Modena (Italy).

https://morwennagracekearsley.com/

About Jess

Jess Holdengarde is a South African lens-based artist living on the Isle of Lewis, with a studio based in Glasgow. Their practice examines photography's role in responding to environmental, social, and economic crises, exploring how image-making can inspire critical reflection and hopeful action within the polycrisis.

Working across photography, writing, sound, and moving image, Holdengarde brings together experimental darkroom processes, site-specific methodologies, and embodied forms of inquiry, weaving queer methodologies and environmental concerns into their practice. Their projects frequently emerge through collaborative and collective processes, cultivating spaces for shared knowledge, experimentation, and dialogue.

Holdengarde has exhibited internationally across Germany, South Africa, Switzerland, and the UK. In 2024, they were awarded the Verzasca Foto Artist-in-Residence programme in Switzerland and presented their first major solo exhibition at Stills: Centre for Photography in Edinburgh. For 2025–26, they are the Artist-in-Residence at the University of Stirling and are supported by the innovation and policy project FORTH2O to develop a new moving-image commission, with mentorship and support from LUX Scotland and Hydro Nation.

jessholdengarde.com

About the Art Collection

The University of Stirling cares for a Nationally Significant Collection of Scottish contemporary art, housed primarily in the Pathfoot Building. Our goal is to make art and culture a part of daily life for students, staff and our community audience. The galleries are open to all between Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. We host regular public events, tours and workshops as well as support learning and teaching across the University.

Getting Here

The Pathfoot Building is the first building on the left, up the hill as you enter the University. The University of Stirling’s campus is just two miles from the centre of Stirling in central Scotland. We're served by excellent fast public transport links from Glasgow and Edinburgh, and are easily accessible by bus, foot and bike from Stirling city centre or Bridge of Allan. Please be aware that during term time, parking can be extremely busy. See the University Getting Here Page to plan your route.

Access

The Pathfoot Building has step free access throughout and blue badge parking to the front and rear of the building. There is seating throughout the gallery spaces for anyone who is not comfortable on their feet for an hour. If you have any access questions in advance of attending, please email Emma (emma.mccombie@stir.ac.uk) or phone us on 01786466050 and we would be happy to chat.

About Stirling Photography Festival

Stirling Photography festival is an annual celebration of photography and hosts an amazing range of exhibitions, talks and workshops for our community across Stirling. This year is their ninth annual festival, and as they travel towards our tenth anniversary the creative team have chosen Journey to inspire this year’s programme - another step on their exciting mission to deliver fabulous creative experiences across our community.

https://www.stirlingphotographyfestival.co.uk/ 

Image: ©Jess Holdengarde