(Antonia
Gialerakis with one of her mother's paintings)
Antonia Gialerakis was born in Durban, the
daughter of well-known former Head of Carmel College and SABC newsreader and
presenter Andrew Gialerakis (known in his broadcasting days as Philip
Armitage). Her mother was the late artist, Hilary Gialerakis.
Antonia Gialerakis studied Drama at the University
of Natal (now the University of KwaZulu-Natal) and later worked as a radio
actress for the SABC before leaving for London in 1984 where she now lives.
In London, she has pursued a successful
career in fashion, working with a variety of international luxury brands. She
has since completed her first novel and commenced work on her second.
In September 2008, she curated a
retrospective exhibition of her mother's paintings. While compiling this
exhibition, she decided to put together a book which she has titled An Unquiet Spirit: The Memoirs and Diaries
of the Artist Hilary Gialerakis.
“Hilary Gialerakis lived a colourful,
tempestuous life until her death at the age of 79 in 2003," explains her
daughter. “She endured a lifetime of illnesses, mystery afflictions and
treatment by doctors, psychiatrists and various counsellors from a variety of
different disciplines.
"In writing her diaries - started in
1924 and put aside in 1973 - Hilary very frankly and openly discusses her
various "conditions" - both physical and psychological,” Antonia Gialerakis
continues. “It’s almost with relief that she arrives at the conclusion that she
is perhaps nothing more than "An Unquiet Spirit”.”
Despite the turbulence of the years, Hilary
– who also exhibited under the name of Hilary Lorenzen in South Africa –
painted a great many paintings, many of which met with critical acclaim.
Shortly before her death, Hilary posted the
writings to her daughter Antonia in the hope that this might bring them closer
together. In sharing this - often painful - testament with a wider audience, An Unquiet Spirit is a story of
fortitude, daring, courage – even humour – as well as sure proof that the
creative life is often the only respite in the most despairing of situations.
An
Unquiet Spirit by Hilary Gialerakis will be
launched today (October 8) in Central London alongside a major retrospective exhibition
of her paintings and drawings. The book will be available in November. Retail
price £18. 9780704372849
For more information and to see some of
Hilary Gialerakis’ work, visit www.facebook.com/HilaryGialerakis
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