Tom of Finland Art & Culture Festival continues its world tour

The festival popped up in London last week ahead of its LA event later in the year

Tom of Finland Foundation brought its Art & Culture Festival to London last week for the second time, ahead of its Los Angeles iteration in October at the Soho Warehouse and following a Berlin edition earlier this year.

The legacy of the queer icon Tom of Finland lived on at the two-day festival held at the Standard Hotel, which brought together erotic artists and leather aficionados. Titled Global Sexual, the festival was organised by Tom of Finland Foundation and was curated by its creative director Richard Villani, and chief curator at Avant Arte Gemma Rolls-Bentley.

On the programme was a series of talks and workshops and a seductive showcase of artists working in erotica. The roster included photographers such as Matt Ford, whose glossy photography series of rubber wearers was particularly eye-catching. Photographer and filmmaker Rick Castro showcased a new book of photography depicting the street hustlers of Los Angeles between 1986 and 1999 .

Also on show was Pâme, a design studio taking their name from the French verb ‘se pâmer’, meaning to swoon. Fittingly the work on show was a series of delicate silk pocket squares featuring portraits of models in various states of climax. London-based artist James Davison brought a series of frilly and bejewelled pillows featuring his original drawings.

READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE BY SEBASTIAN JORDAHN

Published: 31st July 2023

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