Fantasy is a concept so closely associated with the condition of the female that it is perhaps ironic that fairy tales were written by men. And potent imagery dealt with by male artists. The making real of fantasy, whether through words or pictures, is a complex and difficult exercise. The phantasmagoria of the imagined can be tantalising, titillating and quite awesome to contemplate. Laxma Goud with his recent works evoking Eros, the Greek God of passion, in his show titled Rules of Eros, appears to continue exploring that realm of sexual fantasy associated with his oeuvre for some time now. He continues to navigate through extravagant and whimsical areas, the limitless depths of imagination. And through a variety of fantastical journeys into a sexual imagery where everything is possible.Fantasy is the capacity we hold to imagine beyond the restrictions of reality - the extent of one's imagination being limitless. Using the recurring goat as his navigating icon Goud invents fictitious worlds, absurd intheir suggestiveness, implying a crazed mind as the creator yet amusing in a manner he has always succeeded.Posited within that eternal debate as to what is nude and what is naked, Goud's works uncannily seem to find a mid-way space. In fact he appears to cajole the viewer to interpret the image in his or her own way, thus working out individual fantasies; revealing personal chimeras and latent daydreams.Also wavering in a crepuscule zone is the identification of the females in Goud's paintings. Virgin-like in appearance, aided and abetted by a naive village ambience, they also possess an experienced allure, an almost-tangible seductiveness. As they cavort nude with a goat or laze in naked solitary splendour - their charisma suggesting a worldly wisdom, smug in their knowledge of the rules of Eros - they seem to knowingly attract the voyeuristic viewer.In his present show, long panels painted with acrylic on wood, recall sculptural arrays that line ancient temple walls. The human (female) and theanimal juxtapositions makes them sexual creatures, erotic and seemingly inflecting upon the other their own sexuality and fantasies.Rules of Eros is on show at the newly opened Jamaat gallery. This new art space is owned by the gracious Pravina Mecklai, who would like to be identified as a gallerist. While joining the ranks of the increasing art galleries in the city, she proposes to do more than just art exhibitions. True to its name, Jamaat (meaning gathering) will host events that will bring artists and others in the art community in closer interaction. "It would be a creative centre, with the right ambience and with all the energy I would be investing in it," says Mecklai.At Jamaat, National House, Tulloch Road, Apollo Bunder. Till Feb 8 . Time: 11.00 am to 7.00 pm. Ph no: 2851950.Niyatee Shinde is director, Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Mumbai.
