Silpa's real model

The foundation for modern Thai art was laid down by Italian sculptor Corrado Feroci, better known as Professor Silpa Bhirasri (1892 to 1962). Ferado was invited by the Royal Siam Government to the country and, later, named the "Father of modern arts in Thailand". He was appointed a sculptor with the Royal Fine Arts Department in 1924.

Later, he founded the School of Fine Arts in 1933 and the University of Fine Arts (now known as Silpakorn University) in 1943.

Among the models for his masterpieces are King Rama I, V, VI VII, VIII and his wife Malinee, who recently passed away this May at 78 in Italy. Many Thais may not be familiar with Malinee. But to Silpa's students, friends and her relatives, Malinee was the woman behind Silpa's successful life.

"My sister had a beautiful life while living with Silpa," Malinee's sister Nibha Setsuwan, 74, says. "The couple always supported each other. Although Silpa had devoted his life to Thai art, he had my sister's support."

Born to a British father, Cyril C Kenny, and a Thai mother, Malee Hitasakdi, in Bangkok, Malinee was the second of five children. Nibha is the youngest. Nibha recalled her sister's life and how she came to meet the sculptor.

After finishing school, Malinee worked as a secretary at many private organisations. Malinee and Silpa first met in a boarding house, where Silpa was lodged in his initial days in Thailand during World War II. Their romance started then and, soon, they married and lived together until Silpa passed away in 1962. 

On the way to Florence, to rest Silpa's ashes in his hometown, Malinee decided to stay in Italy for ever. "After the professor passed away, my sister was sad. To her, their relationship was more than just a wife-husband relation. As she was younger to him by more than 40 years, Silpa was like her father too," Nibha says.

Malinee, then, worked in Rome for many years and while leading her new life, met Dr Pericle Staderini, a businessman who owned a banknote printing company of the same name. They lived together for many years and spent their last few years in Proceno in north Italy. Staderini passed away in February and three months later, Malinee's end came peacefully.

Although Italy had become her second home, Malinee often came back to Thailand. Last year, she came to be part of the Silpa Bhirasri Day - the annual ceremony held for Silpa's birthday on September 15. That was the last time she came to her home country to remember her beloved husband-father Silpa Bhirasri.

Malinee (Kenny) Bhirasri, former wife of Silpa Bhirasri, passed away at 78 on May 29. Her ashes have been laid to rest at the Verano Monumental Cemetery in Rome.

Today, her family will host a Buddhist merit-making ritual at 10am to mourn the 50th day after her death. It will be held at the Priest Hospital's Foundation Building, Second Floor, Ritual Room 2, Sri Ayutthaya Road.