For more than four decades, the Tom of Finland Foundation has stood as a key gathering place for queer artists. Today, a bitter split between the foundation’s board and its co-founder threatens to unsettle its fate.
Tom of Finland, born Touko Laaksonen (1920–1991), made erotic drawings of hypermasculine men — sailors, lumberjacks, and leather-clad bikers — that have become iconic images of queer culture. A nonprofit foundation was founded in 1984 to preserve his art and legacy. It later expanded beyond just preserving Tom’s work. Exhibitions and acquisitions were used to support contemporary artists, and in 2011, the foundation launched an artist residency program from its headquarters, a craftsman house in Echo Park nicknamed “TOM House.” The foundation’s growth was steady and deliberate, moving from simply protecting the original drawings to actively nurturing new work by queer artists.
An open letter to the foundation’s board was released on Monday, September 28, signed by 41 former artist residents. The letter expresses worry about “the lack of transparency and abrupt interruption of several programs by the current administration,” with particular attention to the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program, which the signers say was “discontinued without prior communication or warning.” Additionally, the letter claims that “nearly the entire staff” of the House was laid off this past June.
The letter requests that the board take action on “guarantee the continuation of the Foundation’s mission, not only by preserving the legacy of Tom of Finland and his work, but also by maintaining an active commitment to new generations of queer and erotic artists through a residency program, mentorship, support, exhibitions, research, and access to the Foundation’s unique archive.” It asks for a response from the board.
From Tom’s Drawings to a Full Program
Finland is where Tom of Finland’s erotic art originated in the early 20th century. His drawings of hypermasculine men — sailors, lumberjacks, and leather-clad bikers — came to stand for queer culture. A foundation was set up in 1984 to keep his work alive.
The foundation grew past Tom’s initial drawings over time, adding support for contemporary artists through exhibitions and acquisitions. In 2011, it started the Artist-in-Residence program, bringing emerging queer artists to live and work at TOM House, the Echo Park craftsman home that functions as the foundation’s headquarters. The program became a centerpiece of the foundation’s identity, a way of linking the old and new generations of queer artists directly to the man whose work had inspired so many.
The Letter’s Key Claims
The document, bearing signatures from 41 former residents, sets forth two principal complaints.
- The AIR program was discontinued without prior communication or warning.
- Nearly the entire staff of TOM House was laid off in June.
The residents describe the administration’s actions as abrupt and opaque. They want the board to guarantee the foundation’s mission continues, not only preserving Tom’s legacy but also supporting new generations of queer and erotic artists through a residency program, mentorship, exhibitions, research, and access to the foundation’s archive.
What the Residents Want
Residents aren’t satisfied with empty promises alone. What they’re demanding is that the foundation commit to keeping the AIR program running and sustaining its backing for emerging artists.
The letter requests that the board “guarantee the continuation of the Foundation’s mission.” That guarantee would cover multiple areas:
- Preserving the legacy of Tom of Finland and his work
- Maintaining an active commitment to new generations of queer and erotic artists
- Running a residency program
- Providing mentorship
- Offering support
- Organizing exhibitions
- Conducting research
- Giving access to the foundation’s unique archive
Each of these elements, taken together, represents the full scope of what the foundation has promised to protect and build upon.
The Foundation’s Response So Far
The foundation has not issued a statement about the letter, leaving the board’s next steps unannounced.
The organization is at a turning point, and the people who signed the letter are worried about its path. The foundation has been a stable presence in the queer art world for decades, and the letter raises questions about whether that stability can survive the current administration’s approach to programming.
The Future of TOM House
The future of TOM House is uncertain. The correspondence asks if the Echo Park craftsman dwelling will remain the organization’s headquarters and creative center.
Without the AIR program, the building would no longer serve as a home and workspace for artists. The letter’s authors are concerned that the foundation’s physical identity — the house itself — could be lost along with the program that brought artists to it.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1984 | Foundation established to preserve Tom of Finland’s art and legacy |
| 2011 | Artist-in-Residence program starts at TOM House |
| June | Nearly the entire staff of TOM House laid off |
| Sept. 28 | 41 former residents release open letter to board |
The signatories behind the letter are requesting that the board uphold the pledge the foundation gave to them.
The people who live there have stated where they stand. What the foundation says now will decide how things proceed from here.
Source material: “Queer Artists Say Tom of Finland Foundation Has Lost Its Way,” Hyperallergic.
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