TOM XL | August “Meet Erotic Artists”

Date/Time
Date(s) - 23rd Aug 2024 - 24th Aug 2024
9:00 pm - 2:00 am

Location
San Fransisco Eagle Bar

Categories

• Supporter - US

 

 

 

 

 

Cover:
$10.00 in Gear
$15.00 without Gear
$5.00 with ToFF Membership

 

🟦 Don your best gear and join the worldwide community of TOM’s Men.

🟦 Great drink specials!

🟦 Featuring deep beats, sexy muscle dancers, and the hottest Leathermen in San Francisco!

🟦 Artists will be displaying their work in tribute to Tom of Finland’s legacy.

🟦 DJ Manuelito

 

Meet the erotic artists who’ll be selling their work:

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JOHNNY HOFF

Born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, by two amazing parents, Art was something that I never quite understood nor was very good at but always appreciated. I knew my simplistic and pretty standard life had quite the journey ahead and the best way for me to start that was by the flipping of a coin that led me to Fort Lauderdale and would change the course of my life.

There, in Fort Lauderdale, I found the love of my life, Brandon, who opened my eyes to the profound art of Tom Finland. He also introduced me to a part of myself that was very hidden. Despite my previous shyness and fear of judgment, Brandon’s unwavering support empowered me to embrace myself even when I was asked to do adult films. His encouragement and his words letting me know that he would love me, regardless of what I wore or did not wear to work. As long as i was doing something that I loved. So I challenged myself by ignoring societal norms and my own insecurities.

When Brandon tragically passed away from complications with HIV, I struggled to find meaning in his absence. basically giving up but I had to keep my promise to him – to continue living my life on my own terms. Also telling him that I would not let his passing affect me negatively. It was very difficult to make sense of it and even worse to continue living in it. I then moved to California and I turned to digital art, integrating Tom Finland’s work, and found solace and healing in this creative process. What started as a personal coping mechanism evolved into a powerful expression of love, loss, and the journey to self-acceptance.

My art is a deeply personal endeavor, borne from a place of profound loss and love. It serves as a testament to the impact of Tom Finland’s work, as well as Brandon’s encouragement and support. In addition to the overt sexuality of my artwork, it’s a promise kept, tribute and a reminder of the freedom to be unapologetically oneself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ROLANDO SAENZ

Rolando Sáenz (he, him), a Puerto Rican artist based in the Bay Area since 2018, found solace after Hurricane María, channeling his experiences through art that delves into the human condition.

With a diverse range of mediums including acrylics, oils, pastels, and charcoal; work that explores themes of yin empowerment and queerness, challenging societal norms with humor. Immersed in the local queer community, winning the San Francisco 2018 Hunky Jesus contest as “Puerto Rico Refugee Jesus” solidified his connection with the historic queer POC community.

Beyond the art, also a caregiver and SEIU advocate, lobbying for Spanish-speaking representation in Washington D.C., aligned with values of challenging norms and supporting underrepresented communities. With a journey shaped by displacement and resilience, his art fosters empathy both outwardly and within himself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DEVLIN SHAND

I’ve been known to photograph at the Opera House and Powerhouse all in the same night, and it‘s this dichotomy that captured my heart and creativity when I moved to San Francisco ten years ago.

With a New York trained eye for fashion and drama, my focus is on intimacy, candidness, and throwing a loving spotlight on what we are told to keep hidden from public view. In all my work, Queer Joy (be it social, sexual, personal) is centered.

I have also fallen back in love with an old friend: Jewelry. I create pieces using vintage and upcycled materials, notably spent bullet casings, to create something new and offbeat and with multiple meanings. I love breathing new life into discarded relics, and transforming violence into beauty. Each piece, like its wearer, has its own wild story to tell.

A selection of my work can also be found at Queer Arts Featured in Harvey Milk’s former camera store on Castro St., along with the work of more than 80 other Bay Area Queer artists and makers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HOST: Gary Keener, ToFF Board of Directors

 

Tom of Finland Foundation Memberships
Special SF Eagle Offer: $75.00 ToFF Memberships for $40.00

 

 

 

Don’t miss out on this monthly event,
on the fourth Friday,
which supports Tom of Finland Foundation
including its Artists-in-Residence program.