On May 5 I was at LAX terminal 1, departing for my Road Scholar trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, when I saw this brand new 2024 Los Angeles mural by John Van Hamersveld. I later learnt that several versions are on view all over the airport.
Los Angeles mural, LAX 2024
I was reminded of first meeting the iconic artist in 1975, when he was living in a 2 story studio apartment of the beautiful Chapman Court (3511 W 6th St, LA 90020, built in 1929, renovated in 2019), where other creatives also resided, like graphic designer Tom Ingalls, comedy writer Stuart Birnbaum, photographer Brian Leatart.
Curl Wave, 2023
I remember seeing John many years later in 2004 at one of the New Year’s Day parties in the newly built home/studio of my longtime friend Ave Pildas.
Beachlife Wave, 2022
I chatted with John on March 22, 2012 at a Culture and Music event in Hollywood organized by my friend Dana Ross, where he was presented with this wording: “John Van Hamersveld. Graphic design innovator. From psychedelic surf-culture graphics in the 60s to album cover art for the Beatles and Rolling Stones in the 70s to the present day, John is constantly pushing the envelope of relevance and creativity.”
John van Hamersveld, portrait by Elisa Leonelli
After I started following him on Facebook, I made a point of going to meet John again in person on August 17 for the opening of his exhibit “Making Waves” at the Adler/Smith gallery in Santa Monica.
A surfer since his teenage years, John told me he started painting waves in 2005, and some of these drawings were the basis for large scale murals, at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: Point Fermin and Seagulls, or El Segundo DWP Water Tank.
He pointed out that this year is the 60th anniversary of his most famous artwork, the “Endless Summer” poster.
You may read my article “Eve Babitz and Me” in Cultural Daily, where I mention that 4 prints of my 1975 “Insect Fear” photo sequence were included in the art magazine “Manifesto LAX” edited by Eve, inside a large envelope designed by John.
Check out John’s Facebook page to find out about his long and successful career, click on his Post-Future gallery website to see and purchase his numerous album covers, posters, murals and photographs.
Big Wave
You may also meet John Van Hamersveld in person on Sunday September 8 from 1 to 5pm at the gallery, 1636 Ocean Park Blvd, and celebrate his 83rd birthday.
Pipeline, 2009