Lleah Smith practices at the intersection of pedagogy, art, and the curatorial. Since 2013, she has made significant contributions in Australia and Asia, working independently and through institutional roles. 

Her PhD research at Monash University and the University of Illinois aims to agitate the pedagogy, art, and curatorial relationship by positioning fermentation as a teacher, speculative metaphor and guiding force for change. Smith is dedicated to creating spaces that foster productive agitation within caring environments that enable difference to flourish. She employs common worlds and radical pedagogical frameworks for gathering, listening, and sharing to explore how cohesive societies can be cultivated. 

Notably, Smith will curate the forthcoming anti-symposium; arts pedagogy as social practice, Malmö Konstmuseum (2025). She has realised the Radical Care Kit, Sydney Children’s Hospital (2023-2024), The Waterhouse, 23rd Biennale of Sydney, rīvus (2021-2022), Kaldor Studio, Kaldor Public Art Projects x Art Gallery of NSW (2019), do it (homework), Kaldor Public Art Projects (2018). Leading socially engaged art projects include, Hidden Lessons, Powerhouse (2021-2022), FUTURE SCHOOL, Cementa22 (2022).

Smith is on secondment from her role as Curator, Programs and Learning at the Biennale of Sydney until October 2024. She is an Artistic Associate at Powerhouse, and Artistic Lead: 4AGenerations, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. She is a curator participating in the NSW Health Curatorium for the Randwick and Westmead Redevelopment Projects (2025) and a member of the Arts. Creativity. Education Research Group, Monash University.