The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN artist and entrepreneur Stefan “Legend” Davis was remembered as a man whose influence reached across generations as family and friends gathered at a Bahamasair hangar on Friday to receive his body following his sudden death in Miami.

Davis’ brother, Teran Davis, said the outpouring of condolences from people he did not know personally showed the depth of his brother’s impact through his art and his character.

“Stefan touched so many lives; the need to say that would be an understatement because he affects the young, the old. Everywhere you go, people come to me and say they have my condolences," he said.

"I have never seen these people in life; that shows the effect that he spread and the love that he gives to people through his art and through him being a human being, so I just want to tell you guys everybody wherever you go today, tell somebody that you love them because we are not promised tomorrow and I lost my brother and I didn’t think he would ever die.”

Family members and friends gathered at the Bahamasair hangar at Lynden Pindling International Airport for the retrieval of Davis’ remains, which arrived from Miami on Friday.

His remains were wrapped in the Bahamian flag as they were received by loved ones. Culture Minister Leslia Miller-Brice was also present.

Ms Miller-Brice, who said she had known Davis her entire life, described him as a close friend and someone who played a major role in her own understanding of Bahamian art and Junkanoo.

“In my capacity as Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, but also in my capacity as a friend and a sister, I have known Stef my entire life," she said. "Everything that I know about arts and Junkanoo I learned from Stef and his brother and those that surrounded Taylor Street.”

She said Davis had a personality that drew people towards him wherever he went.

“My heart goes out to the family, my heart goes out to everyone that came in contact with him," she said. "He was just a lover of life, a friend to all. In every room that he stepped into, people gravitated to him because of the love and energy that Stef had, so on behalf of all those that knew him I ask you to keep the family in prayer because this is a tough one.”

Ms Miller-Brice also said Davis deserved to be honored for the impact he made during his lifetime.

“He deserved more than flowers – the amount of love and support that I have seen, and I am sure that the nation has seen. I don’t know the last time that sort of love has been shown when someone passes away and he was taken away from us so tragically. We will be in contact with the family, but definitely we will do something to honour the life of the Legand Stefan davis”

Davis, 55, was the founder of Airbrush Junkies and one of the country’s best-known portrait and airbrush artists.

A father of two, he became a household name among a generation of Bahamians through Airbrush Junkies at the Mall at Marathon, where he turned clothing into customised artwork and helped popularise airbrushing among young people.

His creative work extended beyond customised clothing to live painting, celebrity artwork and major entertainment events. His work was also featured in The Source Magazine in New York and included local projects such as artwork for the first phase of Atlantis and the Mall at Marathon’s Christmas display.

Davis also had deep roots in the Junkanoo community. His family home on Taylor Street was next to the One Family Junkanoo Shack, where he was a familiar presence.

His death prompted tributes from across the political, artistic, Junkanoo and business communities, with many remembering him as a mentor who encouraged younger artists and entrepreneurs.

Davis died on September 3 in Miami-Dade after a violent three-vehicle crash involving a suspect who was reportedly fleeing police.

According to Local 10 News reports, 21-year-old Lewis Manuel Perez allegedly fled a traffic stop after police attempted to apprehend him on a military desertion warrant. Police said Perez drove onto a dead-end street and ran a stop sign while attempting to evade officers.

His vehicle then collided with a vehicle occupied by Davis before striking an unmarked Miami-Dade Sheriff’s vehicle. Perez was taken into custody.

Davis was reportedly in South Florida on what was believed to be a birthday trip, with his death coming just days before his September 6 birthday.

He is survived by his two children and other family members. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.