In Jeffreys Bay, where waves crash with rhythm and life moves to the sound of surf, the community is reeling from the loss of one of its own.
On Friday morning, Stephen Bibb, beloved artist and surfer, passed away while doing what he loved most—riding the waves.
His death feels as poetic as his life: a final breath taken in the very sea that had shaped his spirit and his art.
More Than Just an Artist
Stephen wasn’t your typical painter. He didn’t just depict the ocean—he interpreted it.
Through every brushstroke, he told stories of wave breaks, sunrise surfs, and the unique soul of J-Bay’s coast.
His paintings, many inspired by the legendary Supertubes, weren’t just admired locally—they resonated with art lovers across the globe.
Living a Life Alongside the Sea
Just a few blocks from the shoreline, Stephen’s home and studio stood as extensions of the ocean.
Sea breeze slipped through open windows, and the rhythmic crash of waves was his daily soundtrack.
Surfing wasn’t just a hobby; it was his spiritual ritual.
That connection with water bled into his work, giving it energy, motion, and depth.
Art Rooted in Personal Healing
Stephen’s creative journey was born from a place of pain.
He spoke openly about wrestling with grief and depression earlier in life.
Everything changed during a surf session when, in a moment he described as mystical, a pod of dolphins surrounded him.
He later recalled a “ball of glowing white energy” rising inside him—an emotional and spiritual awakening that ignited his passion for art.
From that moment on, dolphins became a powerful symbol in his work—representing joy, connection, and the healing energy of nature.
An Iconic Style That Captured the J-Bay Spirit
If you’ve ever seen a painting filled with glowing wave lines, retro kombi vans, surfers frozen mid-barrel, or dreamy blue seascapes—chances are it was Stephen Bibb’s work.
His pieces like “Ocean Dreams” and “Carpark Section JBay” became visual love letters to the local surf scene.
His medium varied—from oils and acrylics to digital prints and even etched metal—but his message was always clear: the sea is sacred.
A Quiet Force for Good
Stephen’s impact reached far beyond the canvas.
He was generous with his time and talent—donating artwork to local anti-crime efforts, partnering with schools and surf clubs, and mentoring young artists who saw a role model in his calm strength and creativity.
He never sought the spotlight but left a glowing mark on everyone who met him.
Locals remember him best not just for his talent, but for his kindness, humility, and the wide smile that always followed a good wave.
Saying Goodbye the Way He Lived
Stephen passed away in the surf—a deeply emotional but strangely fitting way for such a sea-connected soul to leave this world.
While Jeffreys Bay mourns, there’s comfort in knowing that his final moments were peaceful, held by the ocean he adored.
He leaves behind not just a grieving community, but a body of work that will continue to inspire.
Plans are underway for a paddle-out ceremony and a memorial art exhibition in Jeffreys Bay to honor his life and legacy.
His Spirit Lives On in the Water
Stephen once wrote, “The sea has a spirit of its own.
It teaches, it heals, and if you listen closely, it paints through you.”
Now, that spirit carries on through his art, his community, and the waves that roll endlessly across the Jeffreys Bay shore.