A cherished piece of San Diego's cultural landscape is being resurrected as a local artist takes on the task of reviving the iconic John Lennon mural in Pacific Beach, which was defaced by a vandal earlier this month.
In the early hours of August 7, surveillance footage captured the moment a vandal spray-painted over the beloved wall-sized mural of Beatles co-frontman John Lennon. The mural, located on the west side of the building at 1020 Garnet Avenue in San Diego’s Pacific Beach, was originally created in 2006 by the Insight 51 artists and had become a San Diego landmark. Over the years, it had watched over a variety of tenants, including a cannabis dispensary, a Five Guys restaurant, and, most recently, the 365 Reloaded Smoke Shop.Now, San Diego-based artist Jon Hamrick, who has been a muralist for the past decade, is stepping up to bring the mural back to life. Hamrick, known for his photorealistic approach and extensive work across the West Coast, is applying his expertise to design a new mural of Lennon using spray paint.
Hamrick, a resident of Pacific Beach, has long admired the original mural. Noticing the deterioration of the wall over the past few months, Hamrick felt compelled to act. After discussions with the owner of 365 Reloaded Smoke Shop, they agreed that it was time to restore the mural, not only to pay homage to the original but also to give it a refreshed look that could stand as a symbol of community pride.
"This mural is being painted to pay homage to the original mural while giving it a fresh coat of paint and a new and improved facelift," Hamrick shared. "I hope this mural will bring a sense of progress in the community, dissuade any future graffiti, and inspire Pacific Beach to continue to display more public art that can be cherished for decades to come."
To ensure precision in recreating Lennon’s likeness, Hamrick is using a video projector to guide his painting process. He expects to complete the mural by early September, just in time for the community to once again enjoy the iconic image that has been a part of Pacific Beach's identity for nearly two decades. The revitalization of the John Lennon mural serves not only as a tribute to the legendary musician but also as a reminder of the power of art in fostering community and preserving cultural landmarks.
Follow Jon Hamrick's progress by following @Just_Jon1 on Instagram.
