Eight questions for the interested and interesting: Fran Luckin

Fran Luckin has long been one of the guiding creative forces behind South African advertising, with a career that spans agencies, awards and more than a few big ideas. Now co-chief creative officer at Boundless, she still swears by a piece of advice passed down from her father: always say the second thing that comes into your mind, a lesson she admits took time to learn. We asked Luckin our eight go-to questions. From bass guitars to big ideas, here’s what she had to say.

What’s the best book you’ve read in the past year? And why?

Marlon James’s A Brief History of Seven Killings. It was very difficult to get into at first, the author uses stream-of-consciousness narration and a mix of dialects and patois. But once I got the hang of it, I was mesmerised.

How do you keep fit?

I do body conditioning twice a week with an ex-ballet dancer who also functions informally in my life as a source of wisdom and wit. The other three days a week, I go to the gym, where I run on the treadmill to the most mindless pop music I can find.

Week-night, low-key restaurant go-to?

Obento Ramen Bar in Parkmore. Daniel and Ling make a fabulous broth and are also excellent hosts. It’s like I’m in their home. Plus, I can pop into UrbanPadstal next door and buy deli goodies, which is almost a hobby for me.

What is the one artwork you’ll always love, and why? You needn’t own it!

I love Cy Twombly’s The Four Seasons. I could never own it because it’s bigger than my house. Er, and the whole affordability thing.

Do you have a hobby? What is it?

I play the bass guitar. I only started learning in 2016, and I haven’t had any feeling in my left index finger since then. But it’s great for brain patterning, plus it’s usually not noisy enough to disturb the neighbours.

The one unusual item you can’t live without?

A copywriter I worked with gave me a telescopic back scratcher as a farewell gift. I had never had a back scratcher before, and I have no idea how I ever lived without it.

Who was your high school celeb crush?

Sting. I’ve always had a thing for bassists. I’m not sure what Freud would make of the fact that I’m now a bassist myself.

Three songs that you’d take to a desert island?

Bill Evans’ Peace Piece; Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries; and probably Quincy Jones’ version of Handel’s Messiah (that counts as one song, right?).

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_{Top image: supplied.}