Tom of Finland Foundation Taps 10 Art Stars to Judge Its 10th Annual Art Competition

TOM OF FINLAND (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920 – 1991),
Untitled (Preparatory drawing), c. 1979,
Graphite on paper, 8.31″ x 11.69″, ToFF #1004 © 1979 Tom of Finland Foundation

For the tenth edition of its annual emerging artist competition, Tom of Finland Foundation has tapped 10 art worlders to act as judges. It’s a fun group that includes assume vivid astro focus (Eli Sudbrack and Christophe Hamaide-Pierson), Elmgreen & Dragset (Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset), Richard Hawkins, Ryan Heffington, Bruce LaBruce, Helmut Lang, Linder, and A.L. Steiner. The prize, which will be awarded to an unspecified number of artists, offers each winner “a Tom of Finland artwork, exhibition opportunities, and promotional support.”

According to the Foundation, “the main criterion for entering the Competition is that the artist is not already commercially selling work that portrays sexuality.”

“Artists create what they see,” S. R. Sharp, curator at Tom of Finland Foundation, said in a press release. “It is without trepidation of what of their works are seen. Sexuality is a nourishing element in a whole being. The artist Tom of Finland embodies an era of freedom. This competition gives a remarkable opportunity for the new artist to show their complete self and be recognized by others.”

All submissions must be received by November 3 and the winners will be announced on December 3.

—  Ashton Cooper

Published: 15th August 2014

Categorised in: Events