Tom of Finland beefed up the image of homosexuality, creating images of bulgingly priapic cops and cowboys that have become icons of gay liberation. To hail his centenary, we delve into the Wallpaper* archives to revisit this feature from the November ...
Tom of Finland beefed up the image of homosexuality, creating images of bulgingly priapic cops and cowboys that have become icons of gay liberation.
Hundreds of works of erotic art spread across virtually all the 17 rooms in the house, as well as its backyard patio and terraced gardens. They range from a sculpted phallus called, made of tiny squares of mirrored glass, to a bird feeder fitted with delicately hand-painted scenes of bondage and discipline.
The house is the headquarters of the Tom of Finland Foundation, an organisation devoted to preserving the legacy of the most influential homoerotic artist of the 20th century. Across a career that spanned nearly 50 years, Tom created thousands of drawings of muscle-bound, bulgingly priapic sailors, soldiers, cops, cowboys, bikers and lifeguards. His pictures delight in the sheen of leather boots and motorcycle jackets and in the snug fit of sailor trousers and muscle shirts.
Background: a detail of the rear patio’s bar front, collaged with reproduced Tom of Finland illustrations by a foundation member. Left: vintage Tom of Finland graphite drawings in the dining room, a tray by Finnish sculptor Pekka Jylhä and a plaster replica of sculptor Vincenzo de’ Rossi’s 16th-centuryRight: portrait of Durk Dehner, painted by artist Bruce Rapp in 1986, leans against a door in Dehner’s bedroom.
During the 1980s, Tom split his time between Helsinki and Los Angeles, ultimately basing himself entirely at the house in Echo Park . Tom’s studio/ bedroom in the converted attic has been preserved much as the artist left it, with leather pillowcases on the bed and pencils and chalk at the drafting table.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Colonel Tom Moore awarded with gold Blue Peter badge to celebrate raising £32.7mSomething else captaintommoore can add to his ever-growing list of incredible achievements 👏
Read more »
Tom Cruise and Nasa in talks over film to be shot in outer space – reportsElon Musk reportedly involved in the production, which if confirmed would be first feature film ever made in space
Read more »
Tom Cruise preparing to shoot a movie in spaceHe has leapt from rooftops, hung from planes and scaled buildings but the actor is reportedly eyeing a new challenge: space.
Read more »
Captain Tom awarded gold Blue Peter badgeThe 100-year-old fundraiser joins the Queen and David Attenborough in receiving the accolade.
Read more »
Man, 100, raises £60,000 for coronavirus victims while fasting for RamadanDabirul Islam Choudhury, 100, set out to fundraise £1,000 after being inspired by war veteran Colonel Tom Moore - but hit his target within just a few hours.
Read more »
Colonel Tom Moore awarded with gold Blue Peter badge to celebrate raising £32.7mSomething else captaintommoore can add to his ever-growing list of incredible achievements 👏
Read more »