Ava Grauls

b.1982 South Africa / Belgium
Artist based in London.

I am fascinated by the reproduction of history. Whether influenced by the subjectivity of a location, the epistemological social shift of time or the evolution of the map, these shifts produce a plurality of truths that force us to confront our own personal values and positions within a landscape.

My practice adopts McLuhan’s "medium as the message," utilising tactile and mobile materials to mirror the fluid and conflicting nature of personal vs public memory. I primarily explore the discourse of occupation—examining who is permitted to inhabit a space and who is excluded—by drawing inspiration from cartography, historical archives, and the sensationalised tabloid stories.

By working with textiles, found objects, and large-scale installations, I create "psychogeographical" artifacts that reflect the fragmented experience of the newcomer. These works act as physical thresholds between the "myth and ghosts" of a colonial past and the contemporary reality of a globalized Britain. Ultimately, my work positions the "outsider’s view" as a central lens, challenging the static nature of history and reflecting the constant, kinetic process of piecing together a sense of belonging.