Men, machos, muscles: Tom of Finland Art & Culture Festival 2023

The imposing former prison building on Söhtstraße was built in 1906; today The Knast is the home of prideART

For three days, the Queer studio community prideART Berlin together with Tom of Finland Foundation is dedicated to the art inspired by Tom of Finland, his legacy, his influence on the current enfants terribles of the art world.

To this day, the world-renowned scene- and style-defining Gay artist from Scandinavia is considered one of the most important Queers of the 20th century.

Tom of Finland (8th May 1920 – 7th November 1991) used his art to create influential images and humorously-exaggerated stereotypes that show Gay men as self-confident and free. When his art became popular in the late 1950s, it created a scandal. And sometimes punishable by law! Gay sexuality was a criminal offence, and artistic implementation was also punished. Society only slowly began to change with the Stonewall riots on New York’s Christopher Street.

Tom of Finland’s work is now recognized art, honored with a postage stamp, illustrated books (e.g. from TASCHEN Verlag in Cologne), a movie (we reported) and in countless other ways. For example with Queer festivals like this one – and with the art of Søren Zschocke , among others. From 12th-14th May, thanks to prideART Berlin and Tom of Finland Foundation, #mensch in The Knast can immerse themselves in the sexually charged world of the artist at the Tom of Finland Art & Culture Festival 2023 – Berlin.

SEE THE COMPLETE ARTICLE BY MICHAEL RÄDEL

Published: 8th May 2023

Categorised in: Events, News