Penises, vaginas and breasts abound in the Indian painter\u2019s work. As the son of a Hindu priest, he says his orgasmic scenes give us a way to consider religion<\/p>\n
T Venkanna\u2019s paintings land like a sucker-punch. At the centre of his first institutional solo show is an overbearing altarpiece, modified by two squat side panels to take the overall shape of a juvenile dick drawing. Perched at the bottom, on either side, are Adam and Eve. Their backs are turned as they look out on an orgasmic thicket of desire. A female figure is pleasured by another\u2019s nose, someone copulates with the hindquarters of an animal and others fondle in a kaleidoscopic blur of colours and styles that make Hieronymus Bosch look restrained.<\/p>\n
But carnal enjoyment is merely the footnote. \u201cIt is a way to consider many things, including the myth of religions,\u201d says Venkanna. Scattered within this longing landscape are stony figures redolent of India\u2019s pantheon of gods and goddesses. Women worship a topiary lingam \u2013 the aniconic depiction of Shiva \u2013 and a man caresses a statuesque woman\u2019s breast (while drinking from her vagina). Graphic? \u201cThat is what you see in ancient temples,\u201d says Venkanna. \u201cPeople touch the breasts of sculptures so that over time they become very smooth and shiny.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/83bc65f0b099f0feafdf2fc61b1ae88e0020e85c\/0_0_2040_1632\/master\/2040.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=7763168f75610575fb3405384647bd0f\" "\\"\u2018Shocking?")
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