The iconic imagery and graphic designs of legendary Los Angeles artist John Van Hamersveld will be in the spotlight this fall at the upcoming exhibition “Drawing Attention” at California State University, Northridge’s Art Galleries.

“Drawing Attention” highlights 45 years of Van Hamersveld’s work in a 3,000-square-foot exhibition space and provides a rare opportunity to see his personal drawing collection in one cohesive package. The exhibition highlights the depth of his work, his core consistency and his evolution as an artist. The show opens Aug. 29 and runs through Oct. 12.

Van Hamersveld has attracted international attention with his designs for records jackets for pop and psychedelic bands since the 1960s. Albums include “Magical Mystery Tour” by The Beatles, “Crown of Creation” by Jefferson Airplane and “Exile on Main Street” by The Rolling Stones. He also designed the iconic “Endless Summer” movie poster.

The 84 images that make up the exhibition include the Billabong Pipeline Wave, Bono as the “Million Dollar Rock Star,” Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Eric Clapton, the “New Composer” series with Mozart and Beethoven, the Grateful Dead Skull, the “Buffalo Skull,” the American “Stussy Revolution” series, the Indian Chief, the “Stomping Grounds” movie poster and the abstract “Box Paintings.”

Accompanying the show is a 160-page book, “Drawing Attention by John Van Hamersveld.” Published by Gingko Press, the book tells the story behind Van Hamersveld’s prolific artistic outlet as well as his creative process. Seymour Chwast, renowned graphic designer and founding member of New York’s legendary Push Pin Studios, wrote the forward to the book.

“ ‘Drawing Attention’ provides a compelling context for a discussion about the power of drawing as a path to artistic development,” said James Sweeters, director of CSUN’s Art Galleries. “Using the might pen, or pencil, throughout his career, Van Hamersveld invests his designer’s dignity in every work.”

An artist reception celebrating the exhibition’s opening is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. A gallery talk is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 9.

Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m., and on Thursday, from noon to 8 p.m. For more information, call CSUN’s Art Galleries at (818) 677-2156 or visit www.csun.edu/artgalleries. CSUN’s Art Galleries are located on Plummer Street east of Etiwanda Avenue in Northridge, Calif.

Arts and Culture, Mike Curb College of Arts Media and Communication