vicmcewan.com

I work with sound, music, photography, installation, sculpture and performance, to develop a practice that is site-specific, interdisciplinary and socially and environmentally engaged. I have established a strong reputation for leading large-scale, complex, and interdisciplinary projects that are driven by collaboration and interdisciplinarity.

I am the Artistic Director of The Cad Factory, an internationally recognised, multidisciplinary, artist-led organisation, co-founder of The CASE (Contemporary Art Socially Engaged) Incubator a national hub for the development of socially engaged arts practice, and the Postdoctoral Research Associate in Creative Arts, Ecologies, and Community at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 2023, I completed a multi-award-winning practice led PhD at the University of Sydney as the first artist accepted into the Faculty of Medicine and Health.

I sit on the NSW Health and the Arts Steering Committee, and from 2023–24 was a Regional Arts Australia National Fellow. I recently ended a ten-year tenure on the board of Music NSW, and I have presented over 120 keynote, invited, and peer-reviewed presentations on socially and environmentally engaged artistic practice across Australia, Europe, America, and Asia.

Artwork

Bio-Medical Composing Machine
InteractiveSound & Composition
Bio-Medical Composing Machine
2020–21
View ↗
Facial Nerve Harp
InteractiveSound & Composition
Facial Nerve Harp
2019–22
View ↗
Lachrymal Vase
InteractiveSound & Composition
Lachrymal Vase
2021
View ↗
Almost an Embrace
InteractiveSound & CompositionVideo
Almost an Embrace
View ↗
100 Notions from a Nation of Two
InteractiveSound & CompositionVideo
100 Notions from a Nation of Two
View ↗
Strand Ephemera Installation
InteractiveSound & CompositionSite-specific
Strand Ephemera Installation
View ↗
Tuned City Infrastructure
InteractiveSound & CompositionSite-specific
Tuned City Infrastructure
View ↗
Still Point Turning
Sound & Composition
Still Point Turning
2014
View ↗
Moondance
Sound & Composition
Moondance
View ↗
Lake Bogong Sound Walk
Sound & Composition
Lake Bogong Sound Walk
View ↗
I Have a Dream
Sound & Composition
I Have a Dream
View ↗
Thirteen
Sound & CompositionSite-specific
Thirteen
View ↗
PS Enterprise
Sound & CompositionSite-specific
PS Enterprise
View ↗
Buckingbong to Birrego
Site-specificSocially Engaged
Buckingbong to Birrego
View ↗
Razor Wire
Sound & CompositionSite-specific
Razor Wire
View ↗
In The Heart of Our Past
Site-specific
In The Heart of Our Past
View ↗
Reverberate
Sound & CompositionInteractiveSite-specific
Reverberate
View ↗
Haunting
PhotographySite-specific
Haunting
2015–
View ↗
Shadows and Consequences
PhotographySite-specific
Shadows and Consequences
2015–
View ↗
Photographic Painting
Photography
Photographic Painting
2023–
View series ↗
The Harmonic Oscillator
Arts & HealthSound & CompositionSocially Engaged
The Harmonic Oscillator
2017
View ↗
I Just Can't Say That Word
Arts & HealthSocially Engaged
I Just Can't Say That Word
2017
View ↗
Shadow Places
Site-specificSocially EngagedVideo
Shadow Places
2017
View ↗
DIRt
Site-specificSocially Engaged
DIRt
2017–
View ↗
On Common Ground
Site-specificSocially Engaged
On Common Ground
2015
View ↗
Water Well
Sound & CompositionSite-specific
Water Well
2015
View ↗
Tunnel of Anatomy
InteractiveSite-specific
Tunnel of Anatomy
2015
View ↗
Artlands Opening
PerformanceSite-specific
Artlands Opening
2016
View ↗
Spark
VideoSite-specificSocially Engaged
Spark
2016–18
View ↗
The Echo in Our Walls
VideoSite-specificSocially Engaged
The Echo in Our Walls
2015–16
View ↗
Portrait of a Shimmering Self
InteractiveVideoSound & Composition
Portrait of a Shimmering Self
2016
View ↗
National Museum of Australia Residency
ResidencySite-specific
National Museum of Australia
2015
View ↗
Grace Before Meals
Sound & Composition
Grace Before Meals
2009–
View ↗
Tension(s) 2020
CurationSocially Engaged
Tension(s) — Tamworth Textiles Triennial
2020
View ↗
Underpass
Site-specificSound & Composition
Underpass
2014
View ↗
Bogong
Site-specificSound & Composition
Bogong
View ↗
Box of Birds
Sound & Composition
Box of Birds
View ↗
A Night of Wonder — SunRice
Site-specificSocially Engaged
A Night of Wonder — SunRice
View ↗
Tipping Point
Site-specificSocially Engaged
Tipping Point
2013
View ↗
Grong Grong Creative House
Site-specificSocially Engaged
Grong Grong Creative House
View ↗
Dance Diaries Narrandera
VideoSound & Composition
Dance Diaries Narrandera
View ↗
8 Artists
Socially Engaged
8 Artists
View ↗
Small Voices Made Loud
Site-specificVideoSocially Engaged
Small Voices Made Loud
View ↗
Siren's Song
PerformanceSite-specific
Siren's Song
View ↗
Hydro-phone
Sound & CompositionSite-specific
Hydro-phone
View ↗
Quietly Collapsed
VideoSound & Composition
Quietly Collapsed
View ↗
In Repose
PerformanceSite-specific
In Repose
View ↗
She Had to Put in Contact Lenses
Video
She Had to Put in Contact Lenses...
View ↗
Box Freezer Romance
Sound & Composition
Box Freezer Romance
View ↗
The Woman and the Sea
PerformanceSite-specific
The Woman and the Sea
View ↗
Solomon Toilet
Sound & CompositionSite-specific
Solomon Toilet
View ↗
Bluetooth, Bluebeard, Blackeye
InteractiveSite-specific
Bluetooth, Bluebeard, Blackeye
View ↗
Borrowed Language
PerformanceSocially Engaged
Borrowed Language
View ↗
Police Emergency
PerformanceSocially Engaged
Police Emergency
View ↗
Listen Now Walk
InteractiveSite-specificSound & Composition
Listen Now Walk
View ↗
From Our School House
Site-specificSocially Engaged
From Our School House
View ↗
Dance Diaries 1
VideoSound & Composition
Dance Diaries 1
View ↗
Specimen
Site-specificVideoSocially Engaged
Specimen
2016–18
View ↗
Clouds and Symphonies
Site-specificSocially Engaged
Clouds and Symphonies
2018–19
View ↗
Yenda Rain
Site-specificSocially Engaged
Yenda Rain
2013
View ↗
Hook
PerformanceSound & Composition
Hook
View ↗
Roadside Frequencies
PerformanceSite-specificSound & Composition
Roadside Frequencies
View ↗
Uncovered : Uncovered
PerformanceCuration
Uncovered : Uncovered
2013
View ↗
The Cad Factory
CurationSocially Engaged
The Cad Factory
2005–
View ↗
Fishheart
Site-specificSocially Engaged
Fishheart
2025
Read ↗
More than a Fish Kill
VideoSocially Engaged
More than a Fish Kill
2023
Read ↗
Pangala: Returning Home
Site-specificSocially Engaged
Pangala: Returning Home
2023
Read ↗
Face to Face: The New Normal
Arts & HealthPhotographyVideo
Face to Face: The New Normal
2021–22
View ↗
One for Sorrow, Two for Joy
PerformanceSocially Engaged
One for Sorrow, Two for Joy
2021
View ↗
Collections Conversion
VideoPhotographySound & Composition
Collections Conversion
2021
View ↗
Sigh
PerformanceSound & Composition
Sigh
2020
View ↗
Big Anxiety Festival — Empathy Lab
Arts & HealthInteractive
Big Anxiety Festival — Empathy Lab
2020
View ↗
Wirramarri: Long Way from Home
Site-specificSocially Engaged
Wirramarri: Long Way from Home
2019–20
View ↗
Becoming the Future
Socially Engaged
Becoming the Future
2019–20
View ↗
Weaving Stories
Site-specificSocially EngagedPerformance
Weaving Stories
2019
View ↗
The Longest Heartbeat
Sound & CompositionArts & Health
The Longest Heartbeat
2017
View ↗
Textures of Absence
VideoArts & Health
Textures of Absence
2017
View ↗
Prepared Hospital Bed
Sound & CompositionArts & Health
Prepared Hospital Bed
2017
View ↗
EMF ICU
Sound & CompositionArts & Health
EMF ICU
2017
View ↗
Imagined Instruments
InteractiveArts & HealthSound & Composition
Imagined Instruments
2017
View ↗
Orchestra of Tears
InteractiveArts & HealthSound & Composition
Orchestra of Tears
2017
View ↗
Hospital Compositions EP
Sound & CompositionArts & Health
Hospital Compositions EP
2017
View ↗
Talks · Media · Recognition

Talks, Media
& Awards

Art of Health and Wellbeing ConferenceArt Gallery of NSW
Talking the Walk / Walking the TalkANU / Sydney University Forum
Smart Arts Creative ExperiencesMurray Arts
2026
More than a Fish Kill — ScreeningNational Museum of Scotland, EdinburghWith Aunty Cheryl Blore, David Doyle and Barbara Sefa-Attakora.
More than a Fish Kill — ScreeningAustralian High Commission, LondonAustralia House, The Strand.
2025
Artist Talk for HauntingArt Atrium, Botany NSW
Arts in Medicine, Health and WellbeingEmotions in Medicine Symposium, University of Sydney
More than a Fish Kill — Screening and PanelRipple Fest, Port of Echuca
River Country TourMoree RSL Regional Military Museum
Inhabiting Wounded Landscapes and Environments — KeynoteUniversity of Ljubljana, SloveniaEU DeepLandS project. Alongside Prof. Tim Ingold.
More than a Fish Kill — NAIDOC Week ScreeningCinema Nova, Carlton
More than a Fish KillMESHscreens, University of Cologne
More than a Fish KillMelbourne Documentary Film Festival, Cinema Nova, Carlton
2024–25
More than a Fish Kill — India TourDelhi & Ranchi, Xavier Institute of Social Service
2024
More than a Fish Kill — Screening and PanelANU Immersia FestivalWith Kirsten Wehner, Bradley Bell, Prof. Simon Haberle.
River Country TourBroken Hill City Art Gallery
River Country TourNarrandera Fisheries Centre
More than a Fish Kill — ScreeningUniversity of the Sunshine Coast
More than a Fish KillBath Spa UniversityeARTh group
More than a Fish Kill — Presentation11th Australian Stream Management Conference, Adelaide
More than a Fish Kill — ScreeningSydney Environment Institute / Sydney Health Ethics, Palace Central CinemaWith Kirsten Wehner, Prof. Simon Haberle, Dr Kate Trinick.
Attending to the other stuff: An artistic enquiry into patient expectations at the Sydney Facial Nerve ClinicManchester Metropolitan UniversityWith Coulson SE, Hooker C, Dwyer P.
Artistic practice in the clinic and beyondUniversity of Bath, Environmental Humanities and Art Research Group
2023
More than a Fish Kill — PremiereABC RN Big Ideas / NMA River Country Community DayHosted by Natasha Mitchell.
Enhancing Medical Care through Art and Levinasian EthicsADSA Conference, AdelaideWith Hooker C, Coulson SE.
Face to Face: The New Normal. Navigating cross-disciplinary clinical careQUT School of Creative PracticePublished in Liminalities: A Journal of Performance Studies.
2022
Cross Sector Collaboration: Arts and HealthGoldsmiths, University of LondonLeadership Exchange, Institute for Government.
The potential of artistic residence at the Sydney Facial Nerve ClinicCulture Health and Wellbeing International Conference, UK
Face to Face: The New Normal — KeynoteEnhancing Person-Centred Practices Conference, WollongongWith Coulson SE, Hooker C, Dwyer P.
2021
The Social Imagination — Panel; Artist Floor Talk for HauntingTen Days on the Island, Burnie Tasmania
Embedding a contemporary artist as part of the clinical team at the Sydney Facial Nerve ClinicChris O'Brien Lifehouse Research Symposium
2020
How to walk through walls: reimagining health and healthcare through the artsThe Create Centre, USyd
Performing Care — PanelUNSW ADSA Conference
One for Sorrow, Two for JoyArtstate Festival, Wagga Wagga
Curator's Talk and ForumTension(s) 2020, Tamworth Textiles Triennial Launch
2019
Arts, Health and HealingSydney Ideas
Regional Practice & Textiles Triennial OverviewArtstate Tamworth
An Artist's Interpretation of Facial PalsyInaugural Sydney Facial Nerve Symposium, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse
2018
Collaborative Conversations — Keynote on Socially Engaged Art PracticesTate Liverpool
Patient Experience Symposium — KeynoteSydney
Critical Care Book LaunchManchester Metropolitan University
Arts and Health — Presentation to Medical StudentsUniversity of Sydney
2017
Culture, Health and Wellbeing Conference — KeynoteBristol, UK
Critical Care ForumTate Liverpool
NSW Rural Health and Research Congress — KeynoteWagga Wagga
Creative Regions National SummitParliament House, Canberra
Artists in Health Care EnvironmentsBig Anxiety Festival, Sydney
Remix Sydney SummitSydney
Accessible Arts — PanelNational Gallery of Lithuania
Changing Cultural Values in Regional Australia — PanelLindy Hume Essay Launch
Friday SeminarSydney University
The Art of Farming, Mental Health and CreatingSwan Hill Gallery Seminar
Rice, Communities and Art — PanelGallery 4A
DIRt Project — PresentationCritical Path
2016
Arts and Health Panel — KeynoteArtlands Dubbo
SeminarManchester Metropolitan University
Land Dialogues ConferenceCharles Sturt University
2015
Regional Stakeholders ForumPowerhouse Museum
SeminarManchester Metropolitan University
Art + Space — ArtChatMGNSW, Freda's Bar, Chippendale
2014
Yenda Rain — PresentationManchester Metropolitan University
Restructure ConferenceLa Trobe University
2026
Powerful documentary on the Menindee fish kills screens in UKNITV / Narrandera Argus
2025
How a new 'Fishheart' project is combining science, community and Indigenous artThe Conversation
2023
McEwan Sees the Bigger Picture — Review of Haunting at the National Museum of AustraliaThe Canberra Times
Feature: The Harmonic Oscillator — MRI Choir DuetArts Health Network NSW/ACT
In Conversation with Vic McEwanCreative Responders Podcast, Season 4
Socially Engaged Arts PracticeChangeMakers PodcastWith Amanda Tattersall.
Artist InterviewStudio International Magazine
Interview: Haunting ProjectNational Museum of Australia
Interview: PS EnterpriseNational Museum of Australia
The Artist as DisruptorNAVA
Art in the Real World: Hospital Ward to the TateCreate NSW
Art for Water & A Common MagicReal Time Magazine
Diversity and Disruption in Arts and HealthArtlink Magazine
Video DocumentationInternational Arts and Health Conference, Bristol
2025
The Potentials of Artistic Engagement in Clinical SpacesUCFM Podcast
2023
Ghosts must wait a little longer to be laid to rest — Review of HauntingCanberra CityNews
Haunting — InterviewPrime TV News
2022
Face to Face: The New Normal — ReviewA Rich Life
2021
Six Questions to Festival Artist Vic McEwanTen Days on the Island
2019
The Big Anxiety Festival — UnveilingABC National News
Artists in Health Care Environments — Review of talkPalliative Care NSW
2018
Shadow Places — ArticleNarrandera Argus
Shadow PlacesABC News
Critical Care — Book ReviewThe Daily Review
2017
The Art of Dis-easeArtlink Magazine
The View From Here — Arts, Health, Inequality and ActivismLeeds Arts in Health Forum
2016
Artlands 2016 — FeatureRunway Magazine
Artlands Dubbo — ReviewRegional Arts Victoria
The Artist as Disruptor — Art and Education Pt 1NAVA Ideas
The Artist as Disruptor — Art and Education Pt 2NAVA Ideas
InterviewGBM / Shanghaiist
Still Point Turning — ReviewSydney Morning Herald
2015
Haunting — InterviewArts Alive
Yenda Rain — Interview and OverviewYenda Rain Project
Awards & Fellowships
IASH Postdoctoral Fellowship — University of Edinburgh
7% acceptance rate
2025–26
Thesis Excellence Award — Faculty of Medicine and Health, USyd
2024
National Fellowship — Regional Arts Australia
2023–24
CHASS Distinctive Australian Work Prize — Face to Face: The New Normal
2023
University Medal — Charles Sturt University
2018
CHASS Distinctive Australian Work Prize — The Harmonic Oscillator
2018
Create NSW Inaugural Regional Arts Fellowship
First fellowship of its kind
2015
vic@cadfactory.com.au