Zara Lyness is a Co.Down based Irish artist. She has an integrated approach to her practice, combining sculptural, ceramic, mark making, live processes and social engagement in her work. The use of biography and memory is embedded in her practice, using gesture and objects, that reflect her interest in the individual, relationships and identity. The implied and perceived value and significance of objects and variety of materials is an underlying motive in the forms and performance work she makes. Through performance and the production of small to medium sized objects Lyness makes links between fragmented memories, exploring how perception impacts on identity development and relationship dynamics, potentially leading to marginalisation. Aspects of access are important are important to her in both art and art facilitation.

She produces fragile yet haptic objects by performing repetitive technical processes, allowing alternate outcomes. Inviting a response on literal and abstract planes, she hopes the viewer is encouraged to physically engage with her work. Time is an important factor within her performance work and studio practice. Through engagement with process, she often spends long periods of time with her objects and their variations. Working with time in performance, for her, combines ideas of embodiment and phenomenology of perception.

Zara has recently stepped down from 6 years as secretary for Bbeyond to manage the administration for the organisation. In line with her connection to University of Atypical, her current aim is to update and redesign the Bbeyond website and increase accessibility to the published information.