Sasha Sykes describes how she works with plants to make sculptural objects and design pieces in resin …
Who or what kickstarted your interest in art?
My grandmother studied at the prestigious Grosvenor School of Modern Art in London and was an incredible artist, while my aunt was a fabulous sculptor. My mother’s family was very creative; there were writers and storytellers such as Elizabeth Bowen and Hubert Butler. I was quite academic and thought architecture was the route to take.
However, I think inspiration often comes from the people you choose to surround yourself with, and in Dublin in the late 1990s I was living with artist buddies, hanging out with thinkers and creatives. They really inspired me.
How has your artistic journey evolved?
I’ve always been interested in making things, especially functional objects, but over the years my work has developed. It’s now more about concept, connection and place. My work seems to be considered differently in different parts of the world – as art, craft or as furniture.
I spent many years designing and then began to focus more on the fabrication process, to the point where these days I forage all the materials myself and cast it within resin by hand.
It’s hard to design and have other people make your objects when you want complete creative control and the objects evolve throughout the making. The pieces I make are very heavy and the fabrication processes are very intense, so I may have to change things as I age.
As a mother of three, you’re always on the go, so a lot of my work is in my head – I probably should draw more!
How and where do you work?
I had a moment of clarity after relocating back to Carlow early in the pandemic, where I built a studio. It was a great use of the time, doing something practical, as my brain wasn’t able for creativity at that time. I have three spaces in the studio – one for thinking and planning and others for casting and fabricating.
I spend time absorbing the landscape, then I make notes or sketch. I find a lot of the work is problem-solving in terms of the technical side. I work with a brilliant team and we’re constantly looking at situational solutions.
Where do you forage for items?
The plants come from a specific landscape that the piece is about, to have that literal connection. It could be seaweed from Galway Bay or grasses from the Liffey source. I’m currently working on a series about my mum’s garden, so I’ve been collecting lots of gorgeous flowers from her garden for the last three years.
What have been some of your career highlights to date?
I’ll be honest, as an artist you have good years and bad years. Last year was a real struggle, but this year was a cracker! I’m very lucky that I have a good gallerist, Oliver Sears, who guides me. I was so fortunate to win the Golden Fleece Award 2025 at Dublin Castle in April [in the Visual Art, Craft and Applied Art category] and I was invited to exhibit with Lismore Castle Arts in Co Waterford, which was such a wonderful project and experience. I also participated at Salon Art + Design in New York with Liz O’Brien Gallery. The finale to the year is now my residency at Ballyfin, Co Laois.
Tell us about your residency at Ballyfin?
Well, it’s very dreamy, isn’t it?! I grew up an hour from the property, so I feel this kind of landscape is in my bones. I look forward to walking around the grounds and absorbing its peculiarities. The weather forecast is a bit hit and miss, so while I can’t be outside I’ll be working on a sculptural piece for a show at the RHA early next year.
Need to know: Sasha’s work can be found at Oliver Sears Gallery, Dublin 2; @sashasykes
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