Evolution Island
Ava Grauls (b. 1982, South Africa/Belgium) is a London-based visual artist whose work explores the intersections of history, geography, and abstraction. Grounded in a rigorous study of cartography and geopolitical formations, her paintings deconstruct the narratives embedded within maps.
Grauls’ Evolution Island series stems from a residency on a renowned Hiroshima archipelago. Inspired by the haunting remnants of an abandoned hotel, she delved into the islands’ unique histories, translating their complexities into abstracted visual languages. Her use of early British Admiralty naval surveys (1932) as a source material positions the viewer as an outsider peering into intricate historical layers.
Based on her experiences at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and the Royal College of Art, Grauls’ practice continues to evolve, shaping a distinctive visual vocabulary. This project is made possible through the generous support of the David Michie family.
