Despite facing challenges with her topic, Durban University of Technology Master’s Degree in Fine Art graduand, Karla Nixon, will graduate Cum Laude during the Faculty of Arts and Design’s graduation ceremony in Durban, on Tuesday (09 May 2017).

Nixon faced a few obstacles when she had to narrow down and decide on a topic for her thesis, juggling work and studies, she had to convince herself that research was not as complicated as she had feared. “I suppose I feel grateful and proud. It has been a long journey to get to this point and an accomplishment just to pass, to receive a Cum Laude on top of it all, well that’s a bonus,” said an excited Nixon.

The DUT graduate is no stranger to receiving accolades, in 2011; she received the Sam Newton Award for being the top Diploma Student in Fine Art. In 2012, she also received a Deans Merit Award for her Bachelor of Technology Degree in Fine Art at DUT. In 2015, Nixon gained recognition for having obtained the award for Best Presentation in her Faculty (which she co-presented), at DUT’s Annual Research Day with her paper titled: Exploring Digital Integration in a Traditional, Practice-Based Fine Art Course.

Currently, Nixon, works as an artist, while running her own studio at ArtSpace in Durban, where there is a gallery and a coffee shop that is open to the public. She is also a part-time lecturer at DUT, teaching drawing in the Dental Technology Department as well as Sculpture and Communications in the Fine Art Department at the University.

“Art is pretty time consuming, so between working and studying, I spend as much time as I can, in my studio, making art. But now I have a little more free time, having completed my Masters degree,” added Nixon.

Nixon highly recommends DUT to students who have a keen interest in Fine Art. “DUT gives you all the tools that you need to survive and to compete in the South African art context, it just takes a heck of a lot of determination to get there and hence, sadly, so few do,” she said.

Pictured: Karla Nixon.

Waheeda Peters