Tom of Finland’s legacy: 6 artists inspired by the Queer erotic master

From left: Brontez Purnell, Florian Hetz, Tristor Blue

Tom of Finland’s spirit lives on through the artists who live and create in his one-time home. Here are some of their works.

Tom of Finland, the Finnish artist famous for his homoerotic illustrations of hypermasculine men, died in 1991. But his legacy lives on — through his art, which adorns Queer establishments around the world, as well as through Tom of Finland Foundation. In addition to preserving Tom’s oeuvre, ToFF works to carry on Tom’s spirit by protecting and fostering erotic artworks and the artists who create them.

For over 15 years, the Foundation has hosted an Artist-in-Residence program. Each year, several artists are invited to stay at TOM House in Los Angeles — where Tom himself once lived and worked — for three months to learn from ToFF’s extensive archives as well as one another. At the end of their term, they present artistic projects from their stay to the public.

Ahead, enjoy a presentation of these works from the newest class of artists, who share how Tom’s legacy continues to impact LGBTQ+ culture.

SEE THE COMPLETE ARTICLE BY DANIEL REYNOLDS

Published: 3rd June 2024

Categorised in: Article, News