Elyssa Sykes-Smith

Elyssa Sykes-Smith is an interprofessional artist working across sculpture, installation, performance, socially engaged projects, education, health research and public art. Education includes a Bachelor of Fine Art (Hons), Sculpture Major at the National Art School in Sydney, and a Master of Fine Arts, in Spatial Performance and Design (Distinction) at the Architectural Association in London. Elyssa is a passionate communicator and works well in teams to achieve ambitious projects. Dedicated to deepening her practice and developing her work for social benefit, Elyssa continues to advocate for human rights and environmental sustainability utilising the tools of art, research and education. In creating art for public space and designing participatory projects Elyssa seeks to distil complex, psychological states into multi-sensory experiences incorporating art practice, technology, architecture, psychology and the sciences. Working in a site-responsive way, she develops designs, concepts and interactive briefs that respond to the particular characteristics of a given site. This includes the completion of many permanent and temporary public, corporate and private commissions for urban spaces, architectural facades and interiors and diverse natural environments; and utilising reclaimed materials and ethical practices. The motif of the sculpted figure to enhance architecture and public space has been used as a form of expression throughout history, proving to generate great emotive power which the public can easily relate to. Elyssa’s artworks present a contemporary development of this lineage, particularly inspired by the Baroque period. Her skill lies within the ability to translate the expressive qualities of the figure, exploring form, space and movement pushing the figure towards abstraction to explore issues of and experiences of humanity.

For OpenField Elyssa will create a sculpture that extends from the yard space of the School of Arts over the fence to the yard space of the CWA building, using wood partly donated by the local community.