Look! Up on the wall! It’s Superman! The Man of Steel is just one of the original costumed do-gooders being celebrated in “American Superheroes,” an exhibition of works by artist Joachim Lambrechts at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in West Palm Beach. The PureHoney featured artist for February 2024, Antwerp, Belgium-based Lambrechts — known professionally as Joachim — will be at the Thursday, February 1 preview in person to discuss his newest series of enamel paintings of Golden Age comic book covers.
The late 1930s to the mid-1950s were “a fruitful period for superheroes,” Lambrechts says in an interview, reeling off Captain America, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel and more from the original superhero explosion, many of them featured in his paintings. Saving the world one canvas at a time, his “joyful form of escapism,” as the exhibition press release puts it, is sure to delight gallery-goers. Lambrechts encourages you to make up your own stories to accompany his art, and he won’t mind at all if you swoop in on February 1 to share your superhero fanfic.
Beginning as a self-trained street artist, Lambrechts developed his style of thickly applied paint, boldly outlined forms and simplified iconography. This exhibition consists of these iconic characters as they appeared on the trade comic book covers, rendered in Joachim’s signature style.
“I focused on what was strictly necessary: There are no fancy backgrounds or minute details that are often typical of comic book covers,” Lambrechts says. “My works are a simplified and naive version of the original. They comprise large areas of color and only the necessary lines to represent a shape or movement.”
Another element of superhero comic books that appeals to him is the typography. “Not only does it often contribute to the composition,” he says, “but it also helps to make an image or painting more narrative. And text makes a comic a comic, a narrative image.”
Besides the expected cast of characters from popular DC and Marvel titles, Lambrechts has also unearthed some more obscure heroes.
“A favorite of mine that was hugely popular during the 1940s, but is now somewhat forgotten, was Spy Smasher, a superhero who worked for the U.S. government and fought behind enemy lines against the Nazis during World War II,” he says. “It may be difficult for us to grasp now, but people drew strength from those stories. Things like that fascinate me.”
American culture, in general, captivates this Belgian. “Many of my subjects are intertwined with American culture,” he says. “That’s because America has always fascinated me. Undoubtedly, it’s because of the music, movies, and art I grew up with. One of my biggest childhood dreams was to come to New York and experience it. That fascination still seeps into my paintings. Americans can certainly appreciate that because I’ve had a loyal fan base in the States for years.”
Though “obsessed with comics and cartoons since childhood,” as he says, Lambrechts doesn’t collect comics. What he does have are action figures. A lot of them. “A whole collection of vintage action figures from the ’80s and ‘90s,” he says. “Ghostbusters, ThunderCats, Transformers, G.I. Joe, you name it.”
Nostalgia is a driving force in this series and his life. “You can call me a dinosaur, but many new things aren’t for me,” he says. “This preference ranges from music to fashion and cinema to comics. I find the drawing style of old-school comics much better and more enjoyable.”
His preferred listening tends toward late 20th Century: Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, the Pixies, The Cure and Joy Division. “There is a good chance if you walk into my studio, you’ll hear music from these bands blasting through the speakers,” he says.
Lambrechts emphasizes that truth and justice aren’t just the province of Golden Age caped crusaders. “Real-life superheroes who perform superhero acts are needed now more than ever because of global warming, increasing poverty, war, and violence,” he says.
“It’s about little things,” he adds. “Be nice. Check if your neighbor is doing well and if they need something from the local grocery store. Things like that.”
Preview Joachim Lambrechts, “American Superheroes,” 6:30pm Thursday, February 1, at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery. The exhibtion runs February 2-March 2. instagram.com/joachimofficial kristinhjellegjerde.com ~ Kelli Bodle
