Jonathan Mannion Pays Tribute to Legendary Skateboarder Harold Hunter in New Partnership

Repost of the original article written by Shawn Ghassemitari shared on Hypebeast on April 3, 2024.

In celebration of what have been Hunter’s 50th birthday on April 2.

​Acclaimed photographer Jonathan Mannion worked with the Harold Hunter Foundation on a series of prints that pay tribute to legendary skateboarder and actor Harold Hunter, who would have turned 50 yesterday. Wheat-pasted across Downtown Manhattan are previously unseen photos that Mannion took of Harold during their skate sessions together in 1997. On each, a QR code grants access to an upcoming summer activation, as well as insight into Harold’s story and how he used skateboarding as positive force in the community.

Outside his celebrated history with Zoo York, Hunter was cherished for his exuberant and welcoming personality that transcended the world of skateboarding, leading to a number of modeling and acting roles during the ’90s, including campaigns with Tommy Hilfiger and Larry Clark’s seminal film, Kids (1995). “Harold’s skateboard was just a vehicle,” said actor Rosario Dawson, who grew up in the same neighborhood as the skater, in a past interview.“ He became famous for his personality and his spirit. If anybody came to New York, he would take them in and show them the city.” Hunter was tragically found dead in the Manhattan housing project he grew up in on February 17, 2006, from a heart attack. He was 31.

“It is for all of these insights gained that day about Harold’s spirit that I have chosen to hold him as high as possible on what would have been his 50th Birthday, in order to begin to share deeper layers of his humanity,” said Mannion in a release regarding the partnership. “Crying tears from infectious laughter, calmer introspective moments, pure connection with community as he interacted with anyone who he encountered… they don’t make them like Harold anymore,” Mannion added.

Learn more about the Harold Hunter Foundation‘s initiatives to help at-risk youth through skateboarding, as well as upcoming activations slated for the summer months ahead.