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Tom of Finland Foundation 2020 Awards: Meet the Artists and Icons
7th January 2021, 5:13 pm
Leather Sam Finland, Bruce LaBruce, Xandr Arquin, Annie Sprinkle
Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF) proudly presented awards to stellar individuals who have demonstrated their vast commitment to our community.
“These awards were given on the final day of ToFF’s 25th Art & Culture Festival: Plugged In, which marked both the 36th year of the Foundation as well as the 100th birthday of Tom of Finland. ToFF is honored to have the opportunity to recognize these influential individuals who have, and continue to, shape the world in which we live.”
Performance artist Ron Athey [2018 awardee] (left), with award winners Rob Halford (upper right), and Larry Flynt, 2002.
The 2020 Artist Hall of Fame Award: Bruce LaBruce
The 2020 Artist Hall of Fame Award went to artist, writer, filmmaker, photographer and underground director Bruce LaBruce for his artistic achievements and steadfast commitment to the art and culture of the erotic art community.
“I am excited to be included in the Artist Hall of Fame, I’m really in good company, it’s really awesome. Tom of Finland was a big influence on me. He gave me courage to be really defiant and militant about my sexuality and to not be afraid to be pornographic in my work.”
The 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award: Annie Sprinkle
The 2020 Lif
etime Achievement Award went to certified sexologist, author, artist and influential figure Annie Sprinkle for leadership and steadfast commitment to the erotic art community.
“I’m very grateful for this award. Tom of Finland’s work celebrated the world I was so ecstatic to be in. To all the artists exploring sex and the erotic in their work — please keep it up. The erotic can be found almost everywhere, but not everyone is lucky enough to get to see what we see. We aren’t breaking taboos, we’re fixing them. Sex is political.”
The 2020 Cultural Icon Award: Dan Savage
The 202
0 Cultural Icon Award went to author, media pundit, journalist, and LGBT community activist Dan Savage for his artistic achievement and immeasurable contributions to the art and culture of our community.
“I’m very touched, very appreciative and very honored. Especially at this moment when we are seeing more censorship of queer artists, queer representation, and queer voices on social media. Like Tom, my work has always been very sexually explicit. I’ve always tried to meet people where they are and have honest, fun, playful, and explicit conversations about sex, all sex. Seeing the promotion of queer artists is really inspiring.”
WATCH THE ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES
During the festival, ToFF also announced the winners of this year’s Emerging Artists Competition, which boasted both international contest winners and other participants. Eight internationally renowned creators judged the 2020 competition.
Grand Prize and the Dean Cameron Multiple Figure Award went to Mr. Gruts of New Zealand. He will receive an original Tom of Finland preparatory drawing as a prize.
The Tom of Finland Grand Prize and the Dean Cameron Multiple Figure Award Went to Mr. Gruts
Mr. Gruts (New Zealand), Country Club, 2020, graphite on watercolor paper, 11.70″ x 16.50″
“I am overjoyed to hear that my piece has received both the Dean Cameron Award and the overall Tom of Finland Grand Prize. This is a pivotal encouragement in my career in erotic arts and I am grateful to have been selected.”
SEE ALL THE COMPETITION WINNERS
SEE THE COMPLETE ARTICLE BY ADVOCATE CONTRIBUTORS
2020 Tom of Finland Foundation Awards
On Sunday, December 13, 2020, Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF) proudly presented awards to stellar individuals who have demonstrated their vast commitment to our community.
Published: 7th January 2021
Tags: Advocate, Emerging Artist Competition, ToF Art Fair 2020