Durban University of Technology (DUT) fine arts masters student Nicolé Maurel has added her name to the illustrious list of recipients of the Emma Smith Scholarship Award, which includes fashion and design guru Dion Chang and renowned photographer Angela Buckland.

On Wednesday night the Queensburgh resident earned herself the accolade, worth R40 000, for her work, which grapples with what she believes is the Afrikaner identity crisis.

Entitled OranjeBlanjeBlou wie is ons dan nou? (OrangeWhiteBlue who are we now, then?) the series of 65cm-tall amputated dolls with ceramic heads and embroidered dresses are meant to symbolise what the artist says is the dysfunctional Afrikaner family and community.

“I was investigating South Africa’s past, such as the Great Trek, the British concentration camps and the Boer War. As an Afrikaner, I wanted to know who I am and where I come from,” said Maurel.

“It’s interesting how history repeats itself. Afrikaners were oppressed (in the concentration camps), only to become the oppressor during apartheid. Apartheid is no more and Afrikaners now sit with an identity crisis.”

She said she hardly slept a wink after scooping the award.

“All the other work was so good – when I saw them I thought there was no way I could win this,” she said.

The scholarship, dating back to 1920, had in the past afforded its winners the opportunity to study abroad, but is now used to fund projects suggested by the candidates – including solo exhibitions and community-based workshops.

Maurel plans to use the money to launch an exhibition in Durban with seven women from Aberdeen in the Karoo.

“I went to Aberdeen in 2010 to do a ceramics workshop with group of coloured women,” she said. “The women are so creative, and that’s why I want to have an exhibition workshop with them. I want to bring them here so they can see the city, art galleries and experience this environment.”

Maurel’s dream is to be capped with a PhD in fine art.