A Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant mural emerged in Overtown. It’s not about basketball
Miami muralist Kyle Holbrook proudly identifies as a “Girl Dad.”
The father of a 20-year-old who attends Columbia University, Holbrook was devastated by the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. He felt his grief needed to be channeled so he did what he does best: create.
His work — a mural of Kobe Bryant and Gianna — will live on at the corner of Northwest 17th Street and First Avenue in Overtown. Holbrook spent more than 30 hours painting it in the days following the death of the Los Angeles Lakers legend.
“He reminded me of how me and my daughter used to roll,” Holbrook, 41, said in a phone interview.
Unlike most illustrated tributes, this one will continue to evolve. People are encouraged to write personal messages honoring Gigi and Kobe over the image (only in orange though — “it’s the color of collaboration,” the artist says). Allowing the community to contribute gives them ownership of it, Holbrook said.
“That’s what real art is about,” he said, “giving a voice for some people who feel like they’re not heard.”
Dozens of inscriptions reading everything from “Mamba Mentality” to “We love you” cover the blue-tinted portrait. Above all, one message stands out. It’s an Italian phrase that reads riposa in pace nell amore a nella luce — “rest in peace in love and in light.” It was written by Susan Del Prete, an Italian LA resident who was in town for the Super Bowl. Bryant spent much of his youth in Italy.
“We saw this fabulous piece of art being created so, from our hearts, we had to do a U-turn, come back and participate,” Del Prete said. “He’s a part of our history.”
Bryant’s determination to be the best, rooted in the personal philosophy he called “Mamba Mentality,” extended well past basketball. The first former professional athlete to win an Academy Award attacked fatherhood with the same ferocity he drove to the hoop.
“I admired him in his next chapter as a father, as a leader, as a philosopher, as a pure genius,” said Julian Caesar of Houston, who had stopped to take photos.
Holbrook agreed.
“He’s a real inspiration for going into a second career,” he added.
Holbrook never knew Bryant personally. Finishing this image was his healing process. In doing so, the artist created something that he hopes will change perceptions of and within his community.
“A lot of times black fathers don’t get recognition,” Holbrook said. “I think it’s important to show those positive images to the world and to the community.”
