Vic McEwan: Haunting

Published on 10 February 2021

Regional artist Vic McEwan uses the power of water, mist, smoke and fog to reimagine historical objects in a touring exhibition that highlights the National Museum of Australia’s collection as it is transformed in a new photographic art exhibition opens to the public at the Burnie Regional Art Gallery on Friday 12 February.

Touring the country until 2022, Haunting consists of 65 photographic works and two videos exploring the complex history of agriculture and land use along the Murray Darling Basin.

Mayor Steve Kons said “The artist has used historic photographs and historical objects projected at night on to the Murrumbidgee River into fog, mist, and smoke.

“This major exhibition, Haunting is supported by Burnie City Council and is part of the Ten Days on the Island Festival. It is the only venue the exhibition will show in Tasmania. The Official Launch of the exhibition will be Thursday 4 March but people can see the exhibition from this week.” said Mayor Kons.

Images of historical objects from the national collection include: William Farrer’s industry-changing disease and drought resistant wheat, key collection objects, historic photographs and a time-worn map.

Working with the National Museum (Canberra) Curator George Main, artist Vic McEwan said:

“To be able to bring the Museum objects out from behind their glass and to reanimate them with fog, mist, smoke and water, was an opportunity to reconsider their complex histories. By layering them back into the landscape using light, projection and natural elements, while re-photographing them, we managed to create a series of abstract images which appear as though they were painted with light into the landscape.”

National Museum director, Dr Mathew Trinca, said the exhibition encourages people to see the Museum’s collection in new ways.

“Haunting is a fascinating body of work that encompasses photography, video and text. Demonstrating how objects and stories can be brought to life, this exhibition provokes various interpretations of the past and its ever unfolding consequences in the present,” said Dr Trinca.

Vik McEwan will give an artist talk on Saturday 6 March at 2 pm.  Numbers will be limited so persons wishing to attend must book by calling the Burnie Regional Art Gallery on 6430 5875 or by emailing [email protected].

The exhibition will continue until Saturday 20 March. The Gallery is open free to the public from 10 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday and Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm, closed Sundays and public holidays. Visitors will be asked to sign in on entry for contact tracing and to comply with local, state and commonwealth regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Burnie Regional Art Gallery is an initiative of Burnie City Council and is assisted through Arts Tasmania by the Minister for the Arts.