Expressions of Interest are now open for the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art’s new initiative – The Andy Ewing Fellowship (2026).

About the program

Developed in partnership with the artist’s family, the Fellowship honours the late Andrew (Andy) Hau Ewing (1964–2021) and his significant artistic contributions.

The Fellowship will support an emerging queer-identifying artist in creating a new body of work that will be presented at 4A LAB. This presentation will launch alongside the Andy Ewing Retrospective opening on October 2026, which features works drawn from the collections of AQuA and NCCA.

This initiative reflects 4A’s ongoing commitment to empowering the next generation of Asian Australian artists.

About Andy Ewing

Andy Ewing was an interdisciplinary artist working across installation, digital media, painting, performance and moving image. Deeply introspective yet socially engaged, his practice explored vulnerability, sexuality, queerness, illness and the politics of the body. Informed by his rich cultural heritage and identity as a queer Asian Australian, Ewing often examined the intersections of personal and collective trauma. His legacy continues to inspire artists navigating identity, memory, and the body in poetic and radical ways.

Aims

The Andy Ewing Fellowship aims to:

• support the professional development of an early-career artist who identifies as queer and of Asian descent.
  
• foster intergenerational artistic dialogue through engagement with the artistic practice  and legacy of Andy Ewing.
• provide pathways for career development through exhibition, mentorship and curatorial support.
  
• enhance visibility of underrepresented voices within contemporary Australian art.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• be aged over 18.
  
• identify as both queer and of Asian descent.
  
• be based in Australia (regional or metro).
  
• demonstrate a commitment to developing their contemporary visual arts practice.
  
• propose new work that is thematically, materially, or artistically informed by Andy Ewing’s practice.

Eligible art forms include, but are not limited to, installation, painting, sculpture, video, performance, sound, digital media, new technologies and interdisciplinary practices.

Fellowship Structure

The selected Fellow will receive:

• a $5,000 artist stipend to support the creation of new work including research, materials, travel and artist fee.
  
• 1 week accommodation and return airfare for interstate or regional travel during the Opening of the Andy Ewing Retrospective exhibition at 4A and 4A LAB.
• 10 October - 20 December access to 4A LAB, 4A’s dedicated incubator for emerging artists inclusive of exhibition dates.
  
• professional development and mentorship, with curatorial support from 4A’s team and a mentor drawn from 4A’s national and international artist network.
  
• a solo exhibition in 4A LAB, coinciding with the Andy Ewing Retrospective exhibition at 4A.
• opportunities for broader exposure through 4A’s 30th anniversary public programs, press, and institutional partnerships.

National applications 

In its inaugural year, the Andy Ewing Fellowship is open to applicants based in Australia only, including those on temporary visas.

Submitting Your Expression of Interest

Applications should include:

1. Applicant Details

• Full name
• Age and date of birth
• Contact information (email, phone, address)
• Website or social media (if applicable)
  
  

2. Supporting Materials

• A short statement (max. 300 words) or video/audio submission (no more than 3 minutes) about your artistic practice.
  
• A short response (max. 300 words) to Andy Ewing's work, and how your proposed project aligns thematically and/or materially and/or artistically. 
  
• A current CV (max. 2 pages) outlining exhibitions, education, residencies, or relevant experience.
  
• Up to 10 images or documentation of past work, compiled in a single PDF (max. 25MB). If your work includes video or sound, provide a hyperlink and access password (if applicable) to an online platform (e.g. Vimeo, SoundCloud, YouTube).
  

Deadline for EOI submissions: 5pm, 19 January 2026
All applications to be submitted via email to: hello@4a.com.au
Subject line: Andy Ewing Fellowship EOI – [Your Name]

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by the 4A Executive, representatives of Andy Ewing’s family and established queer-identifing artists and other arts professionals: 

• artistic merit and commitment to developing an artistic practice
• clarity and feasibility of the project proposal
• potential for professional growth through participation in the Fellowship
• engagement with identity, particularly as it relates to queerness, diaspora  and Andy Ewing’s practice
  

Exhibition Outcomes

The selected Fellow’s new work will be exhibited in 4A LAB from 10 October – 20 December 2026, presented in parallel with a retrospective of Andy Ewing’s work. The exhibition will be developed with curatorial and technical support from 4A.

For further information or enquiries, please contact: hello@4a.com.au