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TOM OF FINLAND, Untitled (Silhouette series), 1971, Pen & ink on paper, ToFF Cat. #71.09 - #71.20, © Tom of Finland Foundation 1971 |
Celebrating Erotic Art
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Nordic Gods TOM of FINLAND'S Men of the Forest
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| Tom wanted his heroic males to celebrate their manhood providing young developing homosexuals a life with no shame or guilt - and to enjoy being sexual. In Tom's realm his men have no inhibitions, no reason for remorse. Tom was a rebel with a cause. Going back to 1950 we see the formidable signs of Tom beginning to become an instigator in form and action. It was Tom who, from seeing some photos from the film The Wild One with Marlon Brando, immediately transformed his uniforms from flannel and brown leather to the dark, mysterious and sensual black leather. This inspired a whole new subculture of leather-clad queer boys. These fellows made Tom's drawings "their own" and from there sprang the beginnings of bike clubs and leather bars. These boys would be seen throughout the western countries of Europe and North America, all the way down to Australia and South Africa. In the early years there was little separation between heterosexual and homosexual bikers as they both wore similar gear, much of which Tom presented first in his drawings. His designs then found their way to the leather makers who began to manufacture the military-style-uniform-gone motor-biker. Tom expanded the portrayal of his men to include sailors, beach bums, cops, and cowpokes in addition to other iconic images of thugs. He included every variation of the entire military corps along with a healthy sampling of lumberjacks and farm hands. These were the men that Tom was devoted to holding up as his heroic Viking-type Gods of the North. Men devoured his work and celebrated their newfound male identities with fervor. Spanning five decades, starting in the mid 40s, Tom's mission was to provide other homosexuals with strong positive images of themselves. His brothers were staking their claim to their own identity as Men. This was critical, as up to that time they had been classified as anything but men. No one had effected such change and transference into culture since ancient times. Tom's work continues to cross generational boundaries, making available to all that seek it, a sense of pride, freedom and strength in being who they are — as nature intended. Tom's men, masculine by nature, are homosexual. Tom, however, didn't expect that his vision would be so widely accepted and expressed through such a creative presence on so many levels of society. From such artists as Bruce Weber and Robert Mapplethorpe in New York to Juan Davila in Australia; in men's fashion from Tom Ford of Gucci in Milan to Gary Robinson and David Johnson of Tom of Finland Clothing in New York to Jean Paul Gauthier in Paris; from Freddy Mercury, Judas Priest, Adam Ant and Bronsky Beat from Great Britain to the creation of the Village People in the U.S. They all drew inspiration and influences from Tom's works and his message. A link to a short biography on Tom of Finland. “"I work very hard to make
sure that the men I draw |
Tom of Finland Foundation: Our Purpose |
| When the Tom of Finland Foundation had a presence at the American Swingers Convention in Las Vegas a man in his mid-forties came up to our booth. He was handsomely dressed with a well defined body, showing off his muscles under a tight fitting Lacoste shirt, jodhpurs which were tight to the thigh and buttocks and knee high English riding boots which had a mirror like spit shine. He proudly stated that the men in Tom's drawings were his ubermen. From his youth he had modeled himself after them for they were exactly how he felt about himself with the one exception; that he was attracted to women. He went on to express that he and his wife, who joined him at the booth, wanted to buy the Tom Retrospective book for their son who was now approaching his 21st birthday. They felt he was mature enough to view Tom's work, and in their eyes, there was no better gift they could offer their son. With theirs (and Tom's) guidance they felt they could encourage a balance in his male nature. They wished their son to be outgoing, free in his actions and assertive and proud of his manhood. This coupled with the ability to laugh at himself and having a keen interest in arousing and satisfying his partner's sexual appetite. They felt that Tom's drawings were the embodiment of these attributes that they held in high regard. How evolved and secure this couple was to understand the messages of his work and to instinctively trust their son would take what was there for him without a worry that their son would turn queer. As a messenger, Tom provided what was needed, and wanted, by a society too long in fear of the danger and ridicule associated with the freedom of sexual expression. He was the defender for all men, and especially for those homosexuals whose true nature was suppressed by a cruel family or an unfriendly society. Tom wasn't concerned if the men in his drawings were too exaggerated in their super masculine style. This was the character that had long been denied homosexuals and he was going to make sure to offer it to them. Tom didn't care if his brothers donned the uberman style that he personally so enjoyed and found sexy. He just wanted to make sure they knew who they were — MEN. His passion continues...
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Our Future |
| The future is being made by all of us, so in reading this, embrace what inspires you and pay attention to what aspects of yourself make YOU so unique. To be queer is a responsibility; we live up to our expectations. Be absolutely fabulous, Durk Dehner  Visit our new hub page |
