Touko Laaksonen (8.5.1920- 7.11.1991), the artist behind Tom of Finland, is one of the most notable internationally acclaimed Finnish artists. In 1990 the Finnish Comics Society granted Laaksonen the Puupäähattu, the most prestigious Finnish comic award. Tom of Finland’s work is mostly characterized as homoerotic illustrations. During his career he drew dozens of comics, of which the most famous are his Kake series. To Laaksonen fresh artistic expression was familiar since childhood for he had started drawing comics from a very young age, adapting Finnish comics like Kalle Viksari among others.
DIRTY FRAMES presents you the comics by Touko Laaksonen in the same spirit that Tom of Finland is known for, without shame or reserve. In addition works by other internationally acclaimed homoerotic comic artists will be on display. Exhibition includes artists Benoît Prévot, Bill Ward, Etienne, The Hun, Michael Kirwan, Joe Phillips, Studio Splatter, Thor Of Sweden and Jouni Lepistö.
The exhibition is organized in cooperation with the artist’s own foundation Tom of Finland Foundation, The Arts Promotion Centre Finland, The Finnish Comics Society and Finnish Comics Museum. The exhibition is part of Seta’s 40th anniversary year.
Tom of Finland’s works are on display in MUU for the second time. Finland’s first Tom of Finland exhibition was organized in Artist Association MUU’s gallery in 1990.
In conjunction with the exhibition, Like will publish a new Tom of Finland comics collection. The new book includes Tom’s works from the 1940s onwards and contains a lot of previously unpublished material. In addition to the comics the book includes sketches and an extensive foreword.
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kuva/image: TOM OF FINLAND (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920 – 1991), Untitled (From Mike - “In the Park”, Pt. 1), 1975, Pen & ink on paper, Tom of Finland Foundation Permanent Collection #75.01, © 1975 Tom of Finland Foundation