Get ready for the 10th Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition

5th November 2020, 2:26 pm

Tom of Finland, Photo by Patrick Safarti

In celebration of the artist Tom of Finland’s 100th birth year and the Foundation’s 36th year in operation
Tom of Finland Foundation presents the 2020 Competition.

In 1993, the Foundation initiated this contest based on the principals and ethical codes of Tom of Finland. As an artist, mentor and activist for equality, Tom encouraged freedom of expression and strived to remove stigma inhibiting artistic practice. This competition provides an unrestrained platform for artists to truly express what is in their minds and hearts.

The purpose of this contest is twofold: to encourage artists to share their erotic work and to elevate the field of erotic art by rewarding some of the best current examples. The contest is open to any artist with the exception of previous winners of this contest, or artists who are already selling erotic work commercially. All others are eligible: advertising designers, art students, or just midnight doodlers – anyone who creates erotic works of art.

THE COMPETITION

This competition is for emerging artists only. An emerging artist is defined as an artist who has not commercially sold work that portrays sexuality.

All submissions must be received by the closing date of 15th November 2020 at midnight Pacific.

The winners of the 10th Tom of Finland Emerging Artists Competition will be announced on December 3, 2020 and the awards are presented at the 36th anniversary event during the Art and Culture Festival on 11th December, 2020.

The competition is open to all media. Submissions may include photography, drawings, paintings, mixed media, collage, sculpture, three dimension art, or digital renderings.

For more information on entering the contest go here.

TOM OF FINLAND GRAND PRIZE: The winner shall receive a Tom of Finland preparatory drawing. TOM OF FINLAND, Untitled (Character study for Sex on the Train), 1974, Graphite on paper, 11.50” x 8.25”, © 1974-2020 Tom of Finland Foundation

Listing of other prizes here.

The judges are Jonathan Anderson; Seth Bogart; Nao Bustamante; Matt Lambert; Felipe Meres; Silva Prada; Martin Sorrondeguy; and Russell Tovey and Robert Diament.

Judges will make their decisions based, above all, on erotic content, taking into consideration all artistic criteria by which art is usually judged. Sixteen categories of prizes will be awarded.

Find out more about the judges here.