It is hard to miss the massive colourful mural of the late Kimon “Kiki” Bisogno displayed on the wall of Ferdinando’s Pizza when making your way down Lower Main Road in Observatory.
The eight-metre painting was created to pay homage to Bisogno. It was unveiled on her 38th birthday on Saturday 15 April.
Bisogno, dubbed as Observatory’s ‘Mother Teresa’, died during a shark attack in Plettenberg Bay in September last year.
READ | Observatory residents continue to mourn ‘Mother Theresa’
Artist Marti Lund says it was a privilege to honour her in this way.
“My experience of Kimon was warm and liberating. She was always the most colourful, compassionate and vibrant person in the room. She had a beautiful contagious smile and energy. To be able to be given the privilege of communicating that energy and almost bringing a part of her back to life to continue this energy and the positive effect that she had on the community.”
Marti Lund says it took him over a week to create the art piece.
“I painted a picture of her taken by Diego (Kimon’s husband) while they were in Bali (Indonesia). She is holding a traditional Balinese offering called Canang Sari. It is an offering to the gods as a gesture of gratitude. It has been said that ‘Joy is the simplest form of gratitude’, we all felt that in Kimon.”
He adds: “I used bright colours like the brand identity from the restaurant. Her face, head and shoulders are the main focus point. It took me about eight days to create.”
Diego Milesi says Kimon was loved by everyone and they wanted to do something to celebrate her life on her birthday.
“She always liked to have a big party for her birthday. On her birthday, 11 years ago, we started our restaurant. We wanted to acknowledge her for all the work she did and painting her on the wall was a good idea to achieve that. She loved art as well.”
ALSO READ | Cape Town restaurant belonging to shark attack victim Kimon Bisogno voted best pizza spot in country
Milesi says Kimon devoted her life to the community and those around her.
“She started the first Community Action Network (CAN) during the lockdown and she was part of the Obs Pasta Kitchen. She was always trying to uplift the community.”
Milesi says, as an art lover and himself, he wanted to find an artist that will honour Kimon.
He explains that the mural is a picture of Kimon he took when they were on holiday in Bali, Indonesia.
“I am very happy with the finished product. Marti did a great job and he did it by himself. It wasn’t easy because it is a big mural. Art is about feeling. It is about doing something with passion. I am very impressed with his work.”
Friend and neighbour Salome Uys say seeing the mural brings back fond memories of Kimon.
