Tom of Finland

Tom of Finland is the artist name of Touko Laaksonen, a Finnish cartoonist and illustrator born in 1920. The artist rose to prominence as a leading figure of 20th century gay culture, producing highly masculinized homoerotic art. During his career, the artist sought creative inspiration from his adolescent experiences, having grown up during the Second World War. 

Today, the Tom of Finland Foundation exists in the artist’s honor, an organization whose mission is “protect, preserve, and promote the erotic arts.” In 2023, the artist’s work shall be featured in several solo showcases, from New York City to his native Helsinki, Finland.