An original mural of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, which is currently being painted by renowned artist Jonas Never, will be completed on April 13 at the 1020 Mission Street complex in South Pasadena.
The creation is a joint project commissioned by building owner Thano Adamson of Mission Tile West and tenant Andrew D. Bernstein. The project is co-sponsored by the South Pasadena Arts Council (SPARC).
Bernstein, the Lakers’ longtime team photographer and senior official photographer for the NBA, photographed the entirety of Kobe Bryant’s 20-year, Hall of Fame career and was co-author with Bryant on the bestselling book, “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play.” In 2018, Bernstein was honored by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with the prestigious Curt Gowdy Award for Media.
Never is painting the approximately 15-foot-by-15-foot mural from a photograph Bernstein took as Bryant left the court for the last time in a Lakers uniform on April 13, 2016, following a magical 60-point performance.
The mural unveiling coincides with the five-year anniversary of Bryant’s final professional game. It will be the first tribute mural to Bryant in South Pasadena. Other tribute murals throughout Southern California and the world can be viewed at kobemural.com.
