Osian's Auction Catalogue Masterpieces and Museum-Quality III | March 2004

142 OSIAN’S Untitled Pencil on paper, 1989 “ In the finely ornate foliage, Laxma has tenderly woven subtle nuances of feeling and intimate knowledge of plants. They are no longer sexualised, except the tall and dark columnar trunks. Nature too has assumed character. One also notices greater identification of the artist with his characters. They no longer belong to a place and time: their tribal stock, their dress and ornaments characteristically their own. Yet these are neither exotic peculiarities nor decorative devices but are integrally absorbed in the visual scheme as a whole. The detail of the ornament and the foliated plant is less obviously metaphoric. The identification with the characters and specific surroundings has instilled an ease. The dexterity becomes more effortless. It lessens the need from dramatic innuendoes. The lights are switched off and the locale is outdoor. The work grows more pronouncedly narrative, with few trappings of the styles that initially moulded his. The narrative runs at both – physical and psychological – levels, refers to poetic visions but rarely succumbs to hallucinations or sentimentality.” (Gulam mohammed Sheikh, rpt. in K. Laxma Goud , AP LKA1981; p.7.) Baroda Coloured etching, 1964 Untitled Watercolour on paper, 1966 Woman & Beast Zinc Etching, 1971 Forest Series Copper etching, 1976 (below) Select works of K. Laxma Goud