ON VIEW BY APPOINTMENT +1 213 250 1685
CLOSING RECEPTION 31st August 4–7p

The final exhibition by our Artist-in-Residence Łukasz Leja.

Luke of Poland takes inspiration from Queer artists of the past who created erotic works under pseudonyms—often an Anglicized first name paired with the place they were from or worked in—to protect themselves from public scrutiny, exposure, and legal persecution. “Luke” is Łukasz’s own alter ego, a persona through which he’s free to explore kinks and ideas that today’s art climate often suppresses, disregards, and censors. 

The exhibition features ten new oil-on-canvas paintings,
photography prints created with Richie Lee Davis,
a zine-based photo project,
and originals and reproductions of earlier works.

During his 3-month residency, Łukasz has lived in TOM House and had access to resources, including the world’s largest library and archive of erotic art. Founded in the 1984 , the Foundation was established to promote, preserve, and celebrate erotic art. Over 40 years, it has expanded to include international erotic art festivals and the Artist-in-Residence Program.

The show’s title pays homage to a lineage of artists—like Tom of Finland, Bruce of Los Angeles, and Martin of Holland, among countless others—who, in eras when erotic art was criminalized, created groundbreaking work under pseudonyms. By acknowledging the rich history of erotic arts, Luke of Poland explores Łukasz’s personal ideas, memories, and kink.

INSTALLATION PHOTOS BY
FERNANDO GUERRERO

AVAILABLE WORKS

TOM HOUSE IS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET IN ECHO PARK SO WE STRONGY ENCOURGE RIDE-SHARE OR PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

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Welcome Łukasz!

Welcome to the Artist-in-Residence program Łukasz Leja! We are so excited to see what you make during your stay at TOM House. He is a Polish fine artist based in New York City. Drawing from his own experiences in the city, he creates oil paintings depicting Queer love, exploring uniquely geometric figurations of the human body. He was awarded Grand Prize at the 2022 Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition. In addition to showcasing his work in the US, his…