Sanjeev Khandekar on his sexually charged paintings

Rapid fire...

Sanjeev Khandekar on his sexually charged paintings

What is your latest exhibition about?

It’s called ‘What do I love when I love you, my God?’ and talks about religious fundamentalism and consumerism in society.

Any precautions taken from the past experience of ‘Tits, Clits and Elephant Dicks’?

I do not believe in taking precautions. An artist needs complete freedom and the moment he takes precautions, he is not an artist any more.

Do you think that the controversy took place because it was too in your face?

No.  It was just one woman who found it offensive. That’s it. What was even more awful is that she didn’t even find it necessary to clarify with us, but directly made a police complaint.

Your ideas on sex in art?

My art doesn’t talk about sex, but a broader term called sexuality. Different societies have different sexualities that I try to explore. 

Other topics that you are currently working on?

I constantly try to bring out the market driven lives of people. My forthcoming exhibition would talk about late capitalism and how democratic capitalism, in the garb of fascism, is taking over our lives.
 
Your journey from a writer to a painter...

It feels wonderful to explore new forms of media as it gives you more dimensions and more flexibility to convey your thoughts.

—Vikas Hotwani