FONDS: Stories of People through Objects they Love

Told through photography and in the participants’ own words, FONDS is a project about how the evocative objects we keep connect us to the people and places we love. In collaboration with Greater Govanhill community magazine, people who have a connection to the neighbourhood were asked to share an object that means something to them. From Pakistan to Syria, Turkey to Rwanda the objects featured represent stories of migration, transformation, love, and resilience. FONDS was created in 2022 by Morwenna Kearsley, who worked on this project during a two-year community-based residency with Street Level Photoworks as part of their Culture Collective programme. It was developed in partnership with Greater Govanhill community magazine and Thriving Govanhill. FONDS, a term borrowed from archival science denoting a group of objects with a shared origin, delves into the rich tapestry of Govanhill by exploring the personal narratives behind objects that hold deep sentimental value. In 2023, in addition to a new series of photographs, the FONDS podcast series was introduced, produced by Flora Zajicek. Each episode unfolds over 8 minutes, the time it takes to photograph the object in complete darkness. Weaving together the threads of personal history, cultural heritage, and community spirit, this 10 part series will bring you into the studio to sit and listen to the story of each object as told by its keeper. About the photographer: Morwenna Kearsley is a Glasgow-based artist working predominantly with photography, text and moving-image. Her practice is shaped by two main areas of activity: studio-based solo work and workshop-centred participatory projects, which overlap and inform each other. Her photographs often feature objects, which have the potential to reveal part of who we are. From museum artefacts and personal effects to discarded scraps, toys and textiles, objects carry within them the historical, social and political circumstances of their making, as do photographs. About the podcast producer: Flora Zajicek is a documentary audio producer based in Glasgow. She works across arts, facilitation and education to platform stories which otherwise go unheard. She is proud to have worked alongside photographer Morwenna Kearsely and filmmaker Sam Gonçalves to produce this series which pulls the listener deep into the memories of extraordinary, ordinary people. All sound design and music has been created by Flora bespoke for every episode to try and do justice to the generous sincerity that all participants entered into this project with. About Street Level Photoworks: Street Level Photoworks is a photography centre in Glasgow which has a year round programme of exhibitions and engagement activities in its home venue in Trongate 103 and through a network of local, regional and international partnerships. It develops and delivers a diverse programme of community collaborations which recently has included various participatory arts projects in Govanhill and the Gorbals shaped by local people through the national Culture Collective programme. Street Level manage the Photography Networks in Scotland platform and is a member of Scotland’s Workshops, a network of artists production centres in Scotland. Entry to our exhibitions is free but it does cost us money to bring them to Dunoon Hall. We would appreciate any donations to help us keep providing our exhibition program in the future.