TOM’s Preface to “TOM OF FINLAND Retrospective”

7th November 2011, 10:18 am

 

TOM OF FINLAND

retrospective

 

PREFACE

 

At the time when I became aware of my sexual direction, before World War II, all gay activity was forbidden by law in most countries. The gay men I met felt ashamed and guilty, like belonging to a lower human category because they had no right to enjoy their different sexuality.

In my opinion it was very unfair, but even though I had to hide my own desires – or maybe because of it – I started drawing fantasies of free and happy gay men. Soon I began to exaggerate their maleness on purpose to point out that all gays don’t necessarily need to be just “those damn queers,” that they could be as handsome and strong and masculine as any other men.

My young man’s hectic sexual experiences with Finnish and German soldiers in the army during the war built in me a strong fetish for uniforms which has continued through my life and can be seen again and again in my fantasy illustrations.

For several years I made my drawings in secret, just for myself. Then, finally, I showed them to some other people and in 1957 Physique Pictorial in Los Angeles, one of the few all male magazines in the world at that time, began to publish them.

During the years after that, I started seriously to train myself to develop a detailed photorealistic style to make my drawings look more life like.

I know that there are still today many people who for different reasons don’t accept gayness in our world, but I also know that there are others who share my fantasies, and for all those of you, I have made this book.

Los Angeles, 1988

 

 

Published: 7th November 2011

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