Elyssa Sykes-Smith

Born: Warrazambil, NSW

Lives and works: Bomaderry, NSW and London, UK

Artist Statement

Imaginarium Pontem, 2025

Reclaimed wood, bolts, screws and paint

Imaginarium Pontem (Latin for ‘Imaginary Bridge’) is a site-specific sculpture that visually and physically depicts the idea of a bridge that has the power to surpass social, physical and legal boundaries for the purpose of building a stronger community network. This metaphor is open to interpretation and could be applied to a multitude of structures within our society, including local, statewide, national and international structures. Placed at the Berry School Of Arts the sculpture arches over the fence seeking to connect with the grounds of the CWA hall. The sculpture is tangible evidence of the artist's first steps of bringing her ideas into our reality, and it is further activated by the conversations that follow.

About the Artist

Elyssa Sykes-Smith is a Shoalhaven-based artist engaged in various creative fields, including sculpture, installation, performance, and public art. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art (Hons), from the National Art School in Sydney, and a Master of Fine Arts in Spatial Performance and Design from the Architectural Association in London. Elyssa is committed to human rights and environmental sustainability, using art, scientific research, and education to create meaningful projects that benefit society.

A passionate communicator, Elyssa works collaboratively to achieve ambitious goals, distilling complex psychological states into immersive, multi-sensory experiences and site-responsive designs that harness traditional and emergent digital sculptural methods. Elyssa has completed numerous permanent and temporary commissions for urban and architectural spaces, and natural environments including Sculpture by the Sea and the Venice Architecture Biennale, emphasising the use of reclaimed materials and ethical practices in her work.