You'll find the work of this artist under the name Kamui, Kamui-Jack or simply Jack
 |
| Jack - Cops and Robbers (?) 2002 |
This
is probably one of his best known images, a tantalising view of an
arrest scenario which as far as I know has no follow-up image, so we can only
speculate what the Cops reaction is to the arousal of his captive rogue (or is he detaining a cruising, gay man?). The two men seem to be pushing against each other here, creating an 'A'-shape that is visually pleasing and also gives the scene an element of tension. He conjures up a mean look for the cop which reminds me of the work of
Les Farnak, but his metro-sexual captive is a lot more attuned to modern tastes.
 |
| Kamui - Slut Games 4 (2010) |
Generally Kamui's pictures are joyous celebrations of man-sex and this is a
rather splendid example. It's an appropriate post-script to the heaving
struggles of the men engaged in the Rugby World Cup, which has just concluded. It's part
of a series, rather unattractively named 'Slut Games'. The artist actually depicted it as a
soccer match (round ball!) originally, but I think the chunky physiques and blunt physicality are a natural fit for Rugby players. It's what they do!
From the team colours, it looks as if Wales are shafting England - obviously we are talking fantasy here! Notice how the legs of the two rutting sportsmen create a frame for this composition, appropriately enough it's not unlike the H shape of the goal in Rugby (or American Football). It gives their coupling a sense of solidity and of the top bearing down on the bottom.
 |
| Jack - Hooded Jailors (2001) |
Although he often depicts hard-looking men, Kamui doesn't usually venture far into
the dark realms of fetish. At first sight these chunky chains and medieval executioner's hoods suggest this might be a seriously S&M work, but on closer inspection you see it's just kinky sex, with no real overtones of domination or pain. Nevertheless it is a striking composition with a satisfying simplicity and balance. In this picture the participants form a more distinct 'H' shape but this time the sense of stability and balance it creates seems to impart immobility too, depriving the image of it's essential energy.
 |
| Jack: The Black Missa - Drake vs Demon Lust |
The bondage element in this image is equally understated and appears to require a magical dimension if it is to be effective. The submissive posture of the captive works much better here and the artist underlines his plight by showing the devil towering over him and even tilting the platform against him. You have to buy into the fantasy to fully encompass the full possibilities of the power being brandished here.
There's a good deal of fantasy and games imagery in Kamui's work, but I haven't included much of it in this review, check out the links below for more. I
don't usually go for fantasy characters at all, but make an exception for 'Drake'
with his spiky hair-do and aerodynamic ears. Kamui's rendering of the
devil here is also refreshingly and attractively human. Hairy legs
like his could become a fashion!
This is another picture with an interesting and thoughtful composition. It's broadly defined by the arching sweep of the Devil's wings which seem about to engulf the helpless Drake, who despite his muscularity seems puny and exceedingly vulnerable. That shape is echoed in the misty, Gothic arches overhead, which in our culture often symbolise the battleground between good and evil, the real world and the magical 'beyond'. Indeed bright light pours down on the scene from a window above, but the Devil's wings prevent it from reaching Drake, casting him into the shadows. At the same time this image suggests that it's Drake and the Devil who are truly in the 'real world', placed on top of a very substantial looking rock while everything else around them is vague and insubstantial.
The title of the piece explains all, we're talking temptation and lust here not S&M. This handsome devil does not force himself on his captive but seduces him into his supposedly 'wicked' ways. The realisation of the concept by Kamui is very impressive. Notice that Drake is unaroused at this point but hopefully the next frame will see him liberated from the chains of sexual repression.
 |
| Jack - Ben's Victim_07 (2010) |
Domination and submission are also much in evidence here despite the over-riding sexual thrust (as it were). The title of this series hints at things we don't talk about too much in this day and age but the rest of the collection covers an eclectic mix of stereotypes most of whom look more eager to be on the back seat of Ben's car than 'Oak Tree' does above.
He's probably just realised that Ben's reached the end of his attention span.
 |
| Jack - Cock Rider (2001) |
Jack also does a nice line in more conventional, figurative art. This picture looks as if it might have been adapted from a
Paul Freeman 'Outback' image. The credit for the pose and dress may be mostly his, but the addition of an erection jutting out from the strong diagonal trunk-line, like a thorn on a rose stem, is both erotic and rather clever. I'm just waiting for a man to come along and use that rope to tie this sleepy hunk's wrists and feet together behind the tree, so he can feast on the rose hip.
 |
| Jack - Hank Murphy |
I don't know who Hank Murphy is but this image speaks for itself as pure, beefcake temptation.
There's a sequel (see links below) in which the spectacular contents of his jeans pop out,
but I prefer the focus here on his muscular torso with trimmed pubes
and the hairy grow-back (the delicious corollary of shaving) in evidence higher up.
 |
| Jack - Hitchhiker after 2 hours (2010) |
This image has the same simple appeal with the added bonus of white underwear straining to contain said assets. The yellow sign is none too subtle, but the overall scenario of roadside roulette (will your number come up?) is full of possibilities for both adventure and danger,enough to stoke anybody's erotic imagination. This is the middle picture of a sequence of three, showing progressive disrobement as frustration takes hold (see links again)
 |
| Kamui Jack - Boo! (Halloween, 2010) |
Another nice, simple picture with a gentle humour that seems to add an attractive personality to complement this man's already desirable body. The sheet plays a similar role to the Devil's wings in the 'Drake' picture above and plays on the same theme of seduction and capture and yet the sense of attraction is utterly different. It's a matter of personality which you prefer.
 |
| Kamui Jack - First Encounter: Chris Redfield vs Sting Ray (2011) |
Remember Chris Redfield? The hunky, 'good guy', Special Agent forever falling foul of lustful creatures from another dimension. I always felt his most attractive attribute was his ability to burst his pectoral muscles out of his T-Shirts and this is one of the best depictions of it I have seen.
I don't suppose I need to comment on the phallic dimensions of this blue beast, which seems to have a genetic kinship with the traditional deities of South East Asia. Chris seems oblivious to it's awesome size and obvious power - and to the confinement threat of the containers in the background - instead striking a gung-ho pose for us. Cocky or what? Kamui plays down the usual tentacles theme giving them a logical source as a Medusa-like hair-do, but confining them to a supporting role, waving in the background.
This is one of the most polished images in this selection replete with fascinating and erotic detail. It doesn't quite have the intensity of feeling or character interaction evident in the first few images of this post - but I admit to ignorance of the unspoken forces associated with these scenes.
 |
| Kamui Jack - Lost in the Jungle |
Part of a series of illustrations for a story. I picked this firstly because I like this 'Ranger' variation of Kamui's usual beefy stud. The jungle setting with it's mysterious inhabitants and unknown dangers also has it's appeal and this one hints at more specific experiences in store for the lost explorer - and he seems to be thrilled by the prospect. Yes it's an unreal sterotype, but there always an erotic tingle when we meet men who are fundamentally different to us and that's what this is all about.
 |
| Kamui Jack - Steel Inside Me (2011) |
From a story in which friends, Wolverine and Colossus, get to know each other better.
The Steel bit gives this essentially sex scenario a bit of a harder edge and the series as a whole has some memorable images including the one above in which Kamui's talent for strikingly simple compositions shows itself again, this time in the evocative forked shape of a letter Y.
Great Stuff!
