Sydney — Stanley Street Gallery

At Stanley Street Gallery in Sydney, the smaller scale of the venue required a different spatial approach. Instead of a large labyrinth, I developed a double spiral installation that still allowed audiences to experience the slow and contemplative movement central to ‘e-Galaxy’.

As the exhibitions in Cairns and Sydney were presented concurrently, I developed additional works specifically for the Sydney presentation, including new SIM-card galaxies and jewellery pieces. I also received discarded electronic materials locally through Whirl Recycling.

During this period, I was given expired SIM cards from OPTUS, facilitated by MobileMuster. Working with SIM cards opened another layer within ‘e-Galaxy’: questions of identity, communication, connectivity, surveillance, and technological transition. As physical SIM cards progressively disappear through eSIM technologies, they become traces of a rapidly changing technological era. Transforming them into wearable works and sculptural forms allowed these tiny objects to shift from invisible tools of connection into tactile and symbolic artefacts.

The exhibition included an opening event, an artist talk with an activation, and three workshops exploring electronic waste through collective making and discussion. One of the workshops was organised in collaboration with Kaleidoscope Collective, creating an additional opportunity to engage with artists and community members interested in participatory and interdisciplinary practices. Workshop participants said:

– ‘I had the most amazing and inspiring time. I leave with so many ideas, merci Suzon.’

– ‘Read this as if it was an ASMR video. Transmitting directly from/to the source, Suzon has got the bytes and data you need to expand your horizons. Feeling so inspired with her journey, and so meaningful to reflect on extractivism and community as a way out from this mess. May the motherboard keep you connected to yourself, always.’

The Sydney residency itself became a particularly enriching experience. Hosted by Liza Feeney, it offered many generous conversations and exchanges around art, participation, and curatorial practice. During this time, I also had the opportunity to attend the opening of the Sydney Biennale and, on a day off, travel to Canberra to visit the National Library and experience another work by James Turrell.

Some photos are by Byron Martin. Video kaleidoscope collective.

Brisbane — Tipping Point Festival at Vulcana

In Brisbane, the final sharing session of the tour took place at Vulcana as part of the Tipping Point Festival.

The event combined participatory activation, discussion, and reflection on the broader journey of ‘e-Galaxy’ across Europe and Australia. Participants were invited to walk a temporary labyrinth, exchange thoughts, and hear about the practicalities of touring the project internationally — including unexpected challenges, new partnerships, artistic developments, the importance of networks, and the evolving role of participation within the work.

Presented back in Queensland after the international tour, the Brisbane sharing session created an opportunity to reconnect the project with local artistic and community networks while reflecting on how ‘e-Galaxy’ continued to transform through each place, audience, and encounter.

– ‘It was such a privilege to experience ‘e-Galaxy’ and to learn about your touring experiences. Can’t wait to attend the full exhibition one day.’

– ‘Thanks Suzon for sharing the ‘e-Galaxy’ journey with us at Tipping Point. As an independent artist, I found the session informative and inspiring. It was very practical. I also enjoyed experiencing the labyrinth. Your prompts dig into the heart of the issue & inspired me (as an individual) to make positive change. Thank you.’

Video by Amy Chien-Yu Wang

4ZZZ Radio – ArtAche with Dru Handebo

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body,
and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.