Biography 

Elyssa Sykes-Smith is an interprofessional, multidisciplinary artist working across public art, sculpture, installation, performance, socially engaged projects, education, and health research. 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. Key concerns involve encouraging her audience to experience an environment from an altered perspective and connecting to art and the associated conceptual framework through a visceral, embodied response.

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Body Mapping & Concept Mapping:

Elyssa’s Climate Psychology research work incorporates a participatory approach, situated within the field of qualitative research, using arts-based processes to research the psychological impacts of the global climate crisis.  Focusing on the use of concept mapping, embodiment and visual metaphor (human body). In 2025 Elyssa has been working as artist in residence with the Arts-Based Knowledge Translation Lab at the Black Dog Institute (Sydney) exploring ways to exhibited body mapping research in public and corporate space, facilitating body mapping workshops and collaborative body mapping structures.

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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. She seeks 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. Playing on the divide between the abstract and representational, her artworks are constructed through the use of multiple abstract forms in various materials, colours, and light to model the figure.

Professional sculpture experience includes the completion of many permanent and temporary public, corporate and private commissions. 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. Elyssa is on the board of directors at the Arts Health Network NSW/ACT as Media Officer and at the South Coast Arts.

Arts education and leadership experience include as a lecturer at the National Art School (Sydney); Sculpture by the Sea (Bondi, Cottesloe) as an Educator, Education and Access & Inclusion Programs Coordinator working with students,  disadvantage communities, disabilities, refugees and sponsors; Coordinator Open Arts at Meta (London); delivery of public workshops in alignment with various councils, private malls spaces, and festivals; and delivery of uniquely designed artist in residence sculpture projects and workshops with an educational approach at many schools. 

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Qualifications include MFA (Distinction) at the Architectural Association School of Architecture London (2021), and BFA (Hons) in Sculpture at The National Art School Sydney (2013). Exhibition highlights include Venice Architecture Biennale (2023); Next Big Thing TV series on London Live and former Design Museum (2021); Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi (2012-17, 2024) and Cottesloe (2015-18); and solo show at the Shoalhaven Regional Art Gallery (2019). Awarded Creative Development Fellowship, Create NSW (2018); First Prize at Hillview Sculpture Biennial (2018); First Prize and People’s Choice Prize at Sculpture at Scenic World (2015); and Clitheroe Foundation Mentorship (2012). Commissions include Oran Park Hotel (2025); Shoalhaven Public Art Grant 2017 (Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre); Barangaroo Delivery Authority; MIRVAC (Chinese New Year 2017, Broadway Sydney) and (Green Square); Wollongong City Council; and Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney.