On Saturday, Nov. 22, the Fullerton Museum Center in Fullerton, California, presents Crazy World Ain’t It: The Art of John Van Hamersveld, a major retrospective celebrating the six-decade career of one of America’s most influential graphic artists. The exhibition also marks the grand reopening of the museum following its recent renovation.
A Chouinard alum (66) and former Chouinard faculty member, Van Hamersveld has built a long and wide-ranging career that includes the 1964 Endless Summer poster, an iconic image of American surf culture. He also created more than 300 album covers for artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, and The Beach Boys.
Organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Crazy World Ain’t It offers an in-depth look at an artist whose graphic experimentation shaped the visual language of multiple eras. The survey includes album covers, posters, drawings, paintings, prints, digital compositions, and photomurals of large-scale public art projects.
From the museum:
With works held in prestigious collections at MoMA, LACMA, and other major institutions, Van Hamersveld’s influence extends far beyond the gallery. His designs shaped everything from surf culture to psychedelia, punk rock to streetwear. As the subject of the acclaimed documentary Crazy World Ain’t It, Van Hamersveld’s story continues to inspire artists, designers, and musicians around the world.
The exhibition opens with a public reception on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 6 to 9 pm. Van Hamersveld will give a ticketed artist talk preceding the reception.
