Artist Toby Smith has publicly criticized Baha Mar resort for repainting his famous flamingo sculpture without his permission, claiming the resort has "bastardized" his work and disrespected his artistic integrity. Smith, who created the iconic "Ringo the Flamingo" statue located at the JFK roundabout in 2015 as a commissioned piece for the resort, expressed outrage after discovering that his signature had been removed during the unauthorized restoration.
The controversy began when Smith learned he would not be involved in the repainting process, despite having offered since November of the previous year to perform the restoration work free of charge. "I think it's disrespectful and I think it's disingenuous," Smith stated in an interview. He directed particular criticism toward John Cox, the director of Baha Mar's art program who also serves as chairman of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, saying Cox "should know better" given his position in the art community.
Smith revealed intimate details about his sculpture that highlight his deep personal connection to the work. "The only one who knows the mysteries and secrets of Ringo in its entirety is me," he explained. "Ringo has a heart that we crafted, and within the heart, it has a note. And on that note are words like love and compassion, and even Baha Mar." The artist expressed that the unauthorized alterations completely contradicted the positive intentions he had embedded in the sculpture's creation.
The sculptor drew inspiration from the late Steve Burrows, a renowned Bahamian artist famous for creating iconic roundabout sculptures throughout the area, including the rooster on Independence Drive and the conch shell on JFK Drive. Smith noted his previous experience in art restoration, mentioning that he had assisted with restoring Burrows' work in the past, always ensuring consultation with the original artist. He praised the recent professional repainting of the rooster statue as an example of how such restorations should be handled.
In a YouTube video addressing the controversy, Smith expressed particular pain over the removal of his signature from the artwork. "I think it's a slap in the face to creative artists to sand off their work, including their signature," he said. The artist expanded his criticism beyond personal grievance, framing it as a broader issue of cultural respect and autonomy. "It's not only a slap in the face to me, but it's a slap in the face to those who are trying to make improvements in the country and being told by non-Bahamian ownership what is right for Bahamians and our visitors."
Smith announced his intention to escalate the matter by bringing his concerns to the Bahamas Art and Musicians Union, seeking institutional support for his position. When contacted for comment, John Cox, executive director of arts and culture at Baha Mar, declined to provide a response to the allegations.
Despite the ongoing dispute and his strong criticism of the resort's actions, Smith maintained a conciliatory stance regarding potential future collaboration. He stated that he remains willing to restore the statue himself at no cost if Baha Mar were to approach him directly, demonstrating his continued commitment to preserving the integrity of his artistic work while keeping the door open for resolution.
