Fil Angelakis was born Christofilia Dellas in Johannesburg on 21 January 1961. She grew up in Congo, Greece and Zimbabwe and encouraged by her parents Thanassi and Maria Dellas, was an avid artist from an early age. She completed her O Levels and obtained an A Level in Art and Crafts at Girls' High School Harare in 1978, studying drawing and painting with Helen Lieros from 1975 to 1978; in 1982 she undertook lessons in oil painting with Eric Forlee.
 

Following school, Fil completed a Commercial Art and Design Diploma at Studio One Graphics with Jim Spencer in 1981.

From 1981 to 1986 she worked as a graphic artist and designer in Harare and Pretoria. In 1986 Fil settled in Cape Town to raise her young family, while freelancing as a graphic designer.

 

Inspired by African landscapes and the beauty of the Cape, she re-dedicated herself to painting in 1997. Her husband Andreas, and children Peter and Angela, are her ardent fans and supporters. She joined CAS at age 37 and was one of its youngest members for many years. 

 

Exhibitions
 

2000 - present: CAS exhibitions at Kirstenbosch Gardens
2001: Cape Cow Carnival - a commissioned life size fibreglass cow
2004: Solo exhibition at STUDiO 17 (home studio) 
2008 & 2009: Small groups and a solo exhibition at the Masque Theatre Muizenberg. Lindberg Art Foundation, Muizenberg: trio and group exhibition
2020: "Home is Where the Art is", Zeitz MOCAA
2023: Inaugural Kirstenhof Creative Meander
2025: Group exhibition, "Music" theme, Noordhoek Art Point

 

Accomplishments

A feature in the second and third edition (2014) of The Collector's Guide to Art and Artists in South Africa

Artist's motivation
 

​Fil delights in the art of creation - making something from nothing - and draws inspiration from God's creations. 

She is fascinated by the light, colour and texture of life around her and loves transposing this to her canvasses. She welcomes commissions, her favourite part being the challenge of researching and sketching and her client's surprise when they see the completed painting. She says, "I am thrilled and so very grateful that many of my paintings hang privately all around the globe."

Workshops
 

Fil has offered painting workshops at her home in Kirstenhof, STUDiO 17, since 2006 and regards these as her most rewarding artistic achievement. "It is very satisfying to see my artists' confidence grow in the beautiful and versatile medium of oil," she says.

Since her first workshop, she has taught 143 artists of all ages, from teens to those aged 90+.  "The journey has been a blessing and I thank all of my wonderful artists for the wonderful memories they've created and given. My studio was closed during COVID, and despite the difficulties involved, creativity flourished world-wide. I personally created over 100 artworks, from small illustrations, hand painted greeting cards to a mural. I continue to welcome new (beginner) and returning artists of all levels, teaching by guidance and encouragement" she says. 
 

Contact: 082 437 1434

Visit www.artistfil.co.za