Creativity in Action

Ilana Slomowitz’s life is a tapestry woven from the
threads of artistic expression, resilience, and an
unwavering pursuit of creative fulfilment. Born in 1941
during the height of apartheid South Africa, her
childhood was shaped by discord, unrelenting maternal
expectation, and a school system that failed to nurture
her innate talents. Her early years were spent in
defiance of rigid structures, culminating in a refusal to
conform to traditional academic pathways. Instead, she
embraced artistic disciplines that allowed her to channel
her fervour into creative expression. Her introduction to the arts began with ceramics, a medium through which she discovered both liberation and professional success. Despite having no formal training in the technical aspects of ceramics, she fearlessly embarked on a career in pottery, swiftly
earning recognition. Her first solo exhibition was a sell
out, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to
ceramic artistry. Through sheer determination, she
transitioned from student to professional, founding her
own pottery studio and gaining commissions that would
define the urban landscape of Johannesburg.
Alongside her ceramic career, dance remained a
cornerstone of her identity. Originally trained in ballet,
she later found her true rhythm in flamenco, joining the
Mercedes Molina Dance Company. The stage provided
her with solace, a reprieve from the emotional
turbulence of home and academia. However, marriage
brought with it an ultimatum: dance or domesticity.
Forced to abandon her passion for performance, she
redirected her energies into ceramics, shaping an
illustrious career as one of Johannesburg’s most
esteemed muralists. Her personal life was equally complex. Infertility struggles led to the adoption of a daughter, only to be followed by unexpected pregnancies in quick succession. The
demands of motherhood, compounded by the
dissolution of her marriage, tested her fortitude. Yet,
even amidst personal upheaval, she forged ahead,
expanding her career, winning accolades, and proving
that artistic success need not be sacrificed at the altar of
domestic responsibilities. In a defining moment, she was
awarded the commission for the Standard Bank
superblock mural, a project spanning 90 square meters.
This cemented her reputation as an artist of monumental
scale, willing to embrace risk and innovation. Her work,
embedded in the urban fabric of Johannesburg,
remains a testament to her creative vision, ensuring her
legacy endures beyond her own lifetime.
ILANA CREATIVITY IN ACTION
The quest for reinvention led her to Israel, where she sought a spiritual and artistic rebirth. However, life in a new land brought its own trials, including financial hardship, burglary, and a debilitating accident that temporarily rendered her incapacitated. Yet, adversity proved an unlikely muse. She channelled her energies into large-scale philanthropic projects, such as the Alyn Hospital’s fundraising initiative,
where she designed murals incorporating donor names. Her commitment to social impact extended beyond ceramics, culminating in dance therapy, movement workshops, and initiatives aimed at fostering creativity among marginalised communities. Her artistic explorations expanded further into poetry and writing, unlocking a new dimension of self expression. She published Touching the Earth and A Glimpse into My Soul, two collections that encapsulate the depth of her creative and personal reflections. Her remarkable life and work have also been documented in the film Ilana: Creativity in Action, which offers an intimate portrait of her artistic
journey. The documentary can be viewed here: Ilana: Creativity in Action. Returning to South Africa in her later years, she continued to push boundaries, establishing dance
troupes in retirement homes, teaching ceramics to disadvantaged youth, and embracing digital
platforms to conduct virtual classes, proving that age is no barrier to creativity. In addition to her artistic
endeavours, she taught at Virgin Active for 17 years, instructing in five different disciplines across several branches in Cape Town. Her ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments reinforced her lifelong dedication to movement, well-being, and teaching. Ilana’s journey encapsulates the perpetual dance between limitation and possibility. Whether through
clay, movement, painting, or words, she has continuously reshaped herself, resisting stagnation and
embracing reinvention. Her story is one of artistic defiance, an assertion that true creativity is not merely about talent but about the audacity to explore the unknown, the resilience to rise after every fall, and the courage to live a life without limitations.