Debbi S. Morkel/ Abandoned

Born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1983, Debbi Morkel graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art. In early 2008, she escaped the busy city life, moving to the remote small town of Fraserburg. Fraserburg has a population of approximately 3000 people and lies about 500 kilometres north-east of Cape Town, in the Karoo Highlands region of South Africa. The area is known for its harsh climate, vast open spaces, and sparse vegetation. Adapting to her new environment, the artist began by exploring the region in terms of a more traditional landscape, building an initial audience of individuals sympathetic to the area. She has expanded significantly in terms of subject matter, recently including architectural, botanical, and other themes in her portfolio of works.