What Every Artist Should Know About Public Art: Elizabeth Lewis from Tilt

Try Descript: https://get.descript.com/s8kjemvu79fz

In this episode, we speak with Elizabeth Lewis, Public Art Division Manager at Tilt Industrial Design, who offers a fascinating insider's perspective on how large-scale public artworks are engineered, managed, and brought to life. Elizabeth reveals the complex ecosystem of stakeholders involved in creating public art and shares invaluable advice for artists looking to break into this challenging but rewarding medium.

What you will learn:
• How industrial designers like Elizabeth act as "translators" between artists' creative visions and the technical requirements needed to bring monumental works to life
• The truth about public art budgets and practices
• Practical advice for artists wanting to venture into public art, including starting with temporary installations and test sites
• How indigenous artists are bringing multidisciplinary approaches to public art that may reshape the entire field

About Elizabeth Lewis:
Elizabeth Lewis is the Public Art Division Manager at Tilt Industrial Design, an Australian firm specialising in technically complex and ambitious public art projects. With a background in industrial design, she has overseen numerous large-scale installations throughout Australia, working with established artists, emerging creators, and First Nations storytellers to translate artistic visions into enduring public works.

04:39 Educational Journey
05:39 First Job Experiences
08:01 Transition to Tilt
14:58 Challenges in Public Art
18:29 Skills and Learning
33:50 Project Timelines
35:55 The Lifespan of Public Art
45:49 The Role of Public Art Curators
48:01 Building Networks and Identifying Artists
50:49 First Nations and Indigenous Art
53:01 The Growth of Public Art in Sydney
59:09 Convincing Developers to Invest in Art
01:05:08 Advice for Emerging Public Artists
01:24:53 Current and Upcoming Projects

Tilt Industrial Design: https://tilt-industrialdesign.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/tiltindustrialdesign

Also mentioned in this episode:
ResMed: https://shop.resmed.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/resmedanz/ | @resmedanz5242
BOC: https://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au/home | @boclimited
Tim Phillips: https://tilt-industrialdesign.com/news-media/media/tilts-tim-phillips-managing-director-featured-in-boutique-developer/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timphillipsdesigns/
Ateliers Jean Nouvel: https://www.jeannouvel.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/ateliersjeannouvel/
Yann Kersale: https://yannkersale.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/yannkersale/ | @studioyannkersale
Reko Rennie: https://rekorennie.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/rekorennie/
Barbara Flynn: https://barbaraflynn.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/barbaraflynnptyltd/
Test Sites: https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/public-art-test-sites-program | https://www.instagram.com/publicartmelbourne/
Sculpture By The Sea: https://sculpturebythesea.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/sculpturebythesea | @sculpturebythesea
Vivid Sydney: https://www.vividsydney.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/vividsydney/ | @vividsydney
Placemaking NSW: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/about-us/our-work/placemaking-nsw
Art And About: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/art-about | https://www.instagram.com/cityofsydney | @CityofSydney
Kilometre of Sculpture: https://www.facebook.com/KilometreofSculpture/?profile_tab_item_selected=mentions&_rdr
NAVA: https://visualarts.net.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/nava_visualarts/
Janet Laurence: https://www.janetlaurence.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/janetlaurence/
ASPECT Studios: https://www.aspect-studios.com/au/ | https://www.instagram.com/aspectstudios
Warren Langley: https://www.warrenlangley.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/warren_langley_artist/
Jacob Nash: https://www.jacobnashdesign.com/

Images in the video:
Sky Mirror, Yann Kersale, at One Central Park. Photography: Murray Frederick
Bradfield Central Park, render by Aspect Studios (Janet Laurence artwork not pictured)
N-S-E-W, Warren Langley, at Homebush Station. Photography: Richard Glover
Acknowledgement of Country, Alison Page, Rowena Welsh-Jarratt and Simon Reece, at Parliament of NSW

🗣️ Join the conversation in our Linkedin group The Installation Art Society, a space for conversations about installation art and a platform for practitioners to share insights, discuss technical aspects, and exchange behind-the-scenes stories: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14532340/

Never miss an episode, subscribe to receive them straight to your inbox: