Q&A with Merit Winner: Debbie Fan

Download the 2018 catalogue to see Debbie's work.Where does your passion for art come from?
Seeing and being inspired by other artists’ amazing creations.
Briefly describe your artistic journey up until the point of entering Sasol New Signatures.
I took visual art as a subject in high school and won merit awards throughout and I am currently studying a bachelors degree in visual art, specialising in Fine Art painting at Nelson Mandela University (NMU).
What motivated you to enter the Sasol New Signatures art competition?
My painting lecturer Professor Binsbergen here at NMU really encourages students to take their careers seriously and to develop a well considered career path - competitions are part of this process.
What excites you about the creative process?
My art allows me to challenge my audience and encourage them to think! I also enjoy the process of working hard to make an aesthetically pleasing product in the end.
Tell us about your preferred medium.
Acrylic and watercolour paint, because there is so much potential with these in terms of colour usage and control.
Summarise your work in three independent words.
Contemplation. Satirical. Invasive.
Did this competition teach you anything about yourself?
Yes! I learnt a lot about my own culture in the process of making my work.
Which local artists do you admire?
All the artists in my painting class including my lecturer Prof. Binsbergen.
What is next for you as an artist?
I am currently working on a triptych. This is a series of card machine receipt paintings and then I’m moving onto investigating books that waiters write orders on.  
What impact would winning this competition have on you?
It would help me appreciate the talent that South Africa has and be grateful to be part of a group of such creative people.