I find that the artmaking allows a kind of navigation through existence - from the quiet every day to the pressing issues of our times. They are all part of being here. - Suzi Lyon

The Stardust Residency was instigated in honour of artist and educator Suzi Lyon who was born in Aotearoa/New Zealand but lived a large part of her creative and insightful life in Mparntwe.

Suzi was an inquisitive, inclusive, community-minded artist mindful of our place within the broader global and social ecology, supremely conscious of our responsibility to each other and to our environment.

At once poetic, whimsical and pithy, Suzi’s arts practice was sparked by observing and celebrating the common human condition, that which connects us all, and also by an awe and reverence for the unknown, that which exists beyond us all. She touched lightly and thought deeply.

In her twenty five years as a practicing artist, teacher and mentor living in Mparntwe, Suzi ignited many an artistic soul. She had an uncanny way of helping others to find their own inspiration and in her collaborative and relational works created a gentle space for exchange with the broader public.

Suzi’s was a recipient of the Watch This Space 2018 Lofty Award and subsequently held what was to be her final exhibition, Travels on a distant star, at WTS in 2020. In her artist’s statement, she wrote:

We are ‘survivors of immeasurable events’, ‘small wet miracles’.

So wrote the poet and astronomer, Rebecca Elson.

And so we travel, immeasurably distant, immeasurably mysterious.

But there is a sensation that holds me like iron, that we are the stars.

So in this I am, my own brief miniscule miracle of magical, gritty self, this is how I can be, of the stars, of this distant star

An exhibition of artworks from Suzi’s estate plus contributions from fellow artists and friends was held to raise funds for a residency program to be hosted by WTS in her memory.

The Stardust Residency provides a studio space for up to 8 weeks during August/September and is supported with a $2000 artist fee.

In the spirit of creativity and inclusivity, which Suzi championed, and in recognition of her heritage, the Stardust Residency is open to any artist, residing in Aotearoa/New Zealand or Australia, at any stage of their career or creative aspiration, working in any media.

In keeping with both Suzi’s practice and WTS vision, The Stardust Residency supports inspired experimentation, artistic expression, critical thinking and community conversation.