Ava Grauls (1982) is a South African / Belgian artist based in London. Her work explores speculative questions regarding nationalised legitimacy, cultural legacy, and environmental influences on identity from a geographic perspective. Her practice is predominantly painting and performance.
Grauls was born in South Africa during apartheid, her family moved to Belgium when she was a child and further relocated to a British asbestos mine in Eswatini. Her practice has been shaped by these experiences, directing her to question forms of influence and education that manage memory. Her paintings are abstracted from her research into the history of countries and the map-makers that have come to dominate these spaces.
Grauls’ paintings and films have been exhibited in London, Scotland, Lisbon, and Japan.
EDUCATION
• 2023 Royal College of Arts MA London, Contemporary Art Practice
• 2021 University of Dundee BA Dundee, Contemporary Art Practice
• 2006 University of Westminster BA London, Contemporary Media Practices BA (film and video)
AWARDS & GRANTS
• 2023 Jackson Prize (long list)
• 2022 Recipient of The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation grant
• 2022 The Gane Trust Grant funding
• 2022 Eaton Trust Grant funding
• 2021 RSA David Michie Travel Award
• 2021 John Byrne Award (shortlist)
• 2021 John Milne Purvis Prize for ‘Landing’
• 2019 Moira McGregor Travel Bursary
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
• 2024 LAND SALE 2.0 – Old Fire Station, Oxford
• 2023 LAND SALE – Phoenix Cinema, London
• 2019 [IM]PRINT Studio Kura, Itoshima, Japan
• 2018 Choice Cuts Sugar Club, Cameo, Edinburgh
• 2018 Untitled, Roseleaf, Edinburgh
• 2014 Untitled, Cherry Tree Woods, London
• 2010 Battle of the Sexless, Phoenix Gallery, London.
• 2010 Battle of the Sexless, Sh!, London.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
• 2025 Graduate Art Show, Salisbury
• 2024 Evolutions, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
• 2023 Southwark Park Gallery Annual Show, London
• 2023 Edge Exhibition, Hiroshima
• 2023 London Art Biennale
• 2023 Royal College of Art Graduation Exhibition, London
• 2023 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London
• 2023 TATE Modern Performance, London
• 2022 IMT Gallery London – Obliterated film
• 2022 Lisbon Art Weekend, Lisbon – Obliterated film
• 2022 Contemporary Art Practice Festival RCA, London
• 2022 WIP Show, RCA, London
• 2021 Graduation exhibition, Dundee University
• 2020 4th Year take over, Generator Projects, Dundee
• 2013 Me & Me Gallery G, Hiroshima
• 2012 Hiroshima Charity Art Show, Hiroshima City
• 2012 Rejected, London.