University of Stirling artist in residence launches new exhibition

Award-winning artist Audrey Grant will share new work in a solo exhibition at the University of Stirling starting on May 25.

The exhibition Memoria marks the end of Audrey’s artist residency at Stirling, which began in May 2023, and forms part of the University of Stirling Art Collection’s Open Day.

On display from May 25 to August 9 at the University’s Pathfoot Building, Memoria includes never-before-seen large-scale photography, site-specific installation and film which encourage visitors to consider land as a witness to history. Audrey’s residency has focused on the landscape and ruins of the ancient Airthrey Estate, where the University of Stirling is located.

The Estate has a rich and complex history, dating back to at least the 12th century. Throughout the course of the residency, Audrey has spent time exploring the landscape and discovering the visible and invisible traces of its history by exploring and responding to the historic buildings still left in the landscape of this modern institution.

Audrey has worked closely with partners across the University to consider historic buildings including the Icehouse, Filter House and the Hermitage, and used existing University Archives to research the estate.

She has collected found objects in the landscape to inspire her practice and created a vast photographic archive of nearly 500 analogue photographs to document her experiences. The residency has also inspired new projects on campus.

Audrey Grant has worked closely with partners across the University to consider historic buildings across the estate.

In November, Audrey’s work instigated an archaeological dig of the Hermitage, working with archaeologist and University of Stirling Honorary Research Fellow Dr Murray Cook and volunteers to physically excavate the land and uncover its secrets.

Sarah Bromage, Head of University Collections at Stirling, said: “The past year has been a wonderful experience and we have thoroughly enjoyed hosting Audrey as our artist in residence. We hope that her work responding to these ancient spaces and interpreting them artistically will encourage people to look again at the beautiful landscape here at the University of Stirling and to take inspiration from the campus itself.”

Sarah added: “The timing of this exhibition is particularly fitting in 2024 when we are celebrating Stirling’s 900th year and looking back on its history.”

Audrey Grant said: “It has been an enormous privilege to be artist in residence at the University of Stirling over the past year and a joy to work with Sarah Bromage, the Collections team and many others.  None of it would have been possible without their incredible help and support.

“Undertaking a major project like this has allowed me time to expand my practice and explore and experiment with new forms and mediums such as analogue photography and film, sound recording, found objects and site-specific works. I hope this new exhibition of work shines a light on the beautiful and changing landscape of the Airthrey Estate.”

The launch of Memoria at the Pathfoot Building on May 25th at 3.30pm is open to all, as part of the University of Stirling Art Collection’s Open Day. More at www.stir.ac.uk/events/23-24/art-collection/art-collection-open-day

The Pathfoot Building is open to the public Monday-Friday 9am 5pm. Tours and visits outside of these times can be arranged by emailing art.collection@stir.ac