FAMILY and friends are due to gather today to celebrate the life of a popular artist who died earlier this month.
Mike Etienne’s art was well-known across the Island, particularly in the surfing and biking communities, and further afield.
A celebration of his life is set to take place today at Holme Grown, with attendees asked to wear bright colours.
Before his death, Mr Etienne asked his friend Nelson Terris – known as DJ Nelson – to lead the service in his memory.
Together, they chose the phrase for his gravestone – “I saw, I thought, I made stuff” – which Mr Terris said encapsulates his friend’s personality.
“He was a doer,” said Mr Terris, joining the many Islanders who have shared fond memories of Mr Etienne in the weeks since his death on 4 December.
Mr Terris added: “He was a local artist, but in the biking community, especially custom bikes, he’s really well-known.
“People across the world know him.”
Mr Terris described how “creative” his friend’s work was – citing lighting up the Sugarloaf in South Africa, and an exhibit of lights hidden in cameras as only two examples among many.
Mr Etienne also took three years, from 2015 to 2018, to create a replica of an officer’s wristwatch to mark Armistice Day.
The sculpture went on show at the Armistice Museum in Compiègne, France.
Mr Terris continued: “For me personally, I’m celebrating the life of somebody that did things that put a smile on your face, put a smile on his face. This guy will be missed by a lot of people.
“There are people in life who when they speak, you listen, and their actions speak louder than words. He was one of them.”
GB Surfing director Arlene Maltman described Mr Etienne as “one of the beach’s true characters”.
“A man who was true to his own path – talented, funny… and talkative!” she added.
Dave Ferguson, former president of the Channel Island Surfing Federation, added that visitors to the Watersplash should “look up” to see Mr Etienne’s work on the ceiling.
“What a great artist with a unique personality, loved by all the surfing gang,” he said.
Others shared their memories of Mr Etienne from abroad, praising his kindness and remembering their conversations with him and his motorbike exploits.
The celebration of Mr Etienne’s life is due to take place at 10am on Thursday 18 December, with attendees asked to arrive from 9.30am.
Donations in memory of Mr Etienne can be made to Jersey Hospice Care, Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey, or Jersey Cancer Relief.
