Unlike Japan, the U.S. doesn’t appoint “living national treasures.” But if we did, John Van Hamersveld might be on the short list. As a young man, he designed the most iconic imagery from the world of surfing (for the 1966 film The Endless Summer) — and went on to create legendary covers for legendary LPs like Magical Mystery Tour and Exile on Main Street. Now this true originator of psychedelic art tells his own story in the autobiography My Art, My Life.
To put it mildly, it’s quite a ride. Along with a few other pioneers (another outrageously gifted artist, Rick Griffin, was a close friend), Van Hamersveld took the art associated with Southern California surfing north to San Francisco, where steeped in LSD it became a global phenomenon that’s still with us.
From being among the very first skateboarders in the early ’50s (the ride was a 2 x 4 with salvaged skate parts nailed on), to witnessing the hippie explosion in the ’60s, to creating vital multimedia works in the 21st century, Van Hamersveld has always blazed a trail. My Art, My Life is as close to taking the trip with him as we’re likely to get.
This is a book of recollections, not images; to see a selection of Van Hamersveld’s art, visit his website. For a taste of recent work, check out the video of his 2010 Las Vegas installation, Signs of Life. [TB]
All images ©John Van Hamersveld
Well said. Not only is “JVH the artist” an original, but JVH the individual is also an original. I’m all for John being declared a living national treasure.