Haupt’s Unique Lacquer Panels Celebrate The Millennium

Joachim Haupt celebrates the millennium with a new series of unique lacquer panels currently on display at his Laguna Beach Gallery 611, located at 611 South Coast Highway. The self-taught, German born artist invented his own unique approach by applying gold and silver leaf foil to layers of resin, a natural lacquer combined with pulverized granite, and mixed with the pigment of acrylic paint.

In several panels from his new exhibit, “Movement into the New Millennium,” elements of the figure emerge from primarily abstract images. The painted panel, “Movement #9” is an especially elegant example of Haupt’s abstraction. Emerging out of layers of lacquer which form the abstracted background are two figures entwined in a joyful dance. The lines delineating the figures appear to be an abstract yet with a slight shift of perspective, it becomes clearly a figural work. The unique use of reflective materials – lacquer and abalone shell, seem to create the mystery of its appearance. Perhaps because he is self-taught, Haupt displays a freedom and innovation in use of materials than those officially “trained.” Gustav Klimt’s Byzantine-like, art nouveau paintings, are one of Haupt’s sources of inspiration. Haupt has innovatively converted fragments from Klimt’s “The Kiss” into several of his own lacquered panels. Traces of Kandinsky, the painter of the Bauhaus, also emerge from the subconscious and appear mysteriously in Haupt’s abstractions. The painting, “Movement in to the Millennium #16,” with its whirling gyre of color, spinning out of fragments of line, is vaguely reminiscent of Kandinsky’s early abstractions. When viewing “Movement into the Millennium #13,” one feels both the relaxing and exciting effects of his work. Influences of Asian Art are also apparent in Haupt’s art. Long sojourns in Singapore, Japan, and Kuala Lumpur gave Haupt a chance to observe the elegant lacquer ware of the Orient and adopt many ancient and traditional techniques into his own innovative style. Joachim Haupt has certainly carved an individual path in developing his career as an artist. Rather than officially enrolling in art school, Haupt opted for academics and eventually business college. He obtained a secure position as a consultant for an international company in the medical industry, which allowed him opportunities to travel and explore over 150 countries. His business position with the medical firm allowed him to fulfill his adventuresome passion for travel and exploration. When stationed by the medical company in the quiet and peaceful Lake Constance area, however, Haupt had many spare hours to develop his unusual painting techniques. Haupt set up studio space in the peaceful and quiet village by the lake, and soon friends showed an interest in purchasing his works. As he attracted new patrons, Haupt decided to change careers and devote himself exclusively to his art work. Public interest grew when Haupt displayed his painted panels in German embassies in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and in Japan and recently and the Design Center in San Francisco. Following his artistic passion, Haupt has opened three galleries – one in Europe, one in Laguna Beach and one in Asia. “I looked throughout California for a space to open a gallery, but I preferred Laguna Beach to the Northern California location,” he said. “I looked a long time in Laguna and finally found space.” Haupt remodeled the interior, changed the lighting and opened the gallery in September. The gallery space exudes warmth and elegance and its ocean location provides a pleasant contemplative environment for viewing the unique abstractions and figural art works Haupt has created. The opening Saturday night was the first of a series of receptions for the exhibit, “Movement into the Millennium,” that Haupt is planning for his gallery. Haupt encourages patrons to watch for announcements the rest of the year, for receptions to celebrate the millennium with his innovative panel art.