The year is 1927. The place, Rapallo, Italy. This is the setting of a brief yet fervent affair between the 17-year-old, French born Isadore and Captain De Bortoli, one which began and ended abruptly. What we know about these two lovers is loosely based on unreliable or at best questionable memories of the few witnesses still alive today. 

According to the story, the young Isadore was so tormented by his love for another man that he walked into the sea. The Captain never recovered from this loss and finally after years of agonising mourning, followed suit. 

He left behind a wife (but no children) who had known about her husband's secret. To honour him and in acknowledgment of the love she was unable to give him, she planted two burgundy bougainvilleas along the stairs leading up to Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro. in memory of her Captain De Bortoli and his Isadore. 

This wallpaper touches on fragments of memories, intertwined with a stylized interpretation of the unruly rambling bougainvillea. ‘Isadore’ is a tale entirely fabricated by the artist.

Ronelle Pienaar Jenkin is a visual artist and a freelance graphic designer who has been active in the industry since her 2007 graduation from Vega Brand Communications School. Jenkin worked at Lemon for many years before going freelance, and still regularly collaborates with the brand in an artistic and design capacity.

South African born, she currently resides in New Zealand where she continues to apply her exceptionally discerning eye to her various projects.

The narratives in Jenkin’s work centre on psychology – our thoughts, behaviour, ways of being in the world and the congruence between these things. Themes such as ridicule, humour, pride, sanctimony, obscenity and irreverence all feature strongly in her work and this interest is explored mainly through portrait and still life. Her preferred media and modes of expression include inks, watercolours and oils.