Stuart Sandford, in conjunction with Dr. Evan Goldstein of Bespoke Surgical, is pleased to announce a benefit exhibition at TOM House in Los Angeles titled "The Body Is The Instrument", from May 8-31, 2019, and online via Paddle8.
Curated by Stuart Sandford, "The Body Is The Instrument" focuses on the interconnection between art, sex, and science, and presents a group of emerging, established, and influential queer artists working with the male form across multiple disciplines, including photography, sculpture, painting, moving image, and collage. The exhibition opening reception coincides with the birthday of Tom of Finland (born Touko Laaksonen), whose libidinal foresight impacted gay culture around the world and transcended pornography to become fine art. Coming together with Dr. Evan Goldstein was a natural fit as his focus at Bespoke Surgical is not only the intersection of sex and science, but also treating the ass as a work of art. The exhibition will benefit the Tom of Finland Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Educational Archive.
Participating artists (in alphabetical order): Mark Beard, Adam Chuck, Gabe Cortese, Ruben Esparza, Gio Black Peter, Simon Haas, Brandon Herman, Florian Hetz, David Hockney, Terence Koh, Matt Lambert, Tom of Finland, Jwan Yosef.
To RSVP to the opening night: rsvpthebody@gmail.com
Pictured: Adam Chuck, 'Early Morning', 2018
Oil paint on reflective Mylar mounted to BFK 3.5 x 5 in
Courtesy of the artist
Stuart Sandford, 'The Body Is The Instrument' (Alejandro), 2019
Oil on canvas
30 x 40 in
Matt Lambert, 'Foot Face Fuck' (triptych) 2019 (detail)
3 x digital prints
22.4 x 16 in (each)
Courtesy of the artist
Gabe Cortese, 'beach film', 2019 (detail)
Individual panel size: 9 x 12 in
Install size: 6 ft.
Acrylic on panel
Courtesy of the artist
Brandon Herman, Untitled (Royce Tic Tacs), 2017-2018
Unique framed Polaroid
3.5 x 4.88 x 1.5 in
Courtesy of the artist
Rubén Esparza, 'Work That Body Pink Pony', 2019
Mixed media collage on (metallic silver) archival paper 16 x 20 in
Signed and dated on verso
Unique
Courtesy of the artist
Gabe Cortese, 'beach film', 2019 (detail)
Individual panel size: 9 x 12 in
Install size: 6 ft.
Acrylic on panel
Courtesy of the artist
Gabe Cortese, 'beach film', 2019 (detail)
Individual panel size: 9 x 12 in
Install size: 6 ft.
Acrylic on panel
Courtesy of the artist
Tom of Finland, 'Hot Water', 1980
Framed fine art print
Edition 6/250
18 x 12 in / 45.72 x 30.48 cm Courtesy of Tom of Finland Store
Adam Chuck, 'Resting or Waiting', 2018
Oil paint on reflective Mylar mounted to BFK 4.5 x 3.5 in
Courtesy of the artist
Brandon Herman, Untitled triptych (Anthony Palm Springs), 2008-2017 (detail)
Three unique framed Polaroids
4.25 x 4.13 x 1.5 in each
Courtesy of the artist
Gabe Cortese, 'beach film', 2019 (detail)
Individual panel size: 9 x 12 in
Install size: 6 ft.
Acrylic on panel
Courtesy of the artist
Rubén Esparza, Untitled (St), 2019
Mixed media collage on (metallic gold) archival paper 20 x 24 in
Signed and dated on verso
Unique
Courtesy of the artist
Gabe Cortese, 'beach film', 2019 (detail)
Individual panel size: 9 x 12 in
Install size: 6 ft.
Acrylic on panel
Courtesy of the artist
Florian Hetz, Untitled (shoulders) 2017
Giclee print
15.75 x 11.81 in / 40 x 30 cm
Edition of 10
Signed and numbered on verso Courtesy Tom of Finland Foundation NFS
Gabe Cortese, 'beach film', 2019 (detail)
Individual panel size: 9 x 12 in
Install size: 6 ft.
Acrylic on panel
Courtesy of the artist
Adam Chuck, 'Jules Up Close', 2019
Oil paint on reflective Mylar mounted to BFK 3.5 x 4.25 in
Unique
Courtesy of the artist
Florian Hetz, Untitled (neck), 2017
Giclee print
15.75 x 11.81 in (40 x 30 cm) Edition of 10
Signed and numbered on verso Courtesy Tom of Finland Foundation NFS
Rubén Esparza, 'Yooth n Beests', 2016
Mixed media collage on archival paper
16 x 20 in
Signed and dated on verso
Unique
Courtesy of the artist
Adam Chuck, 'Man in the Sun', 2018
Oil paint on reflective Mylar mounted to BFK 4 x 5 in
Unique
Courtesy of the artist
Gio Black Peter, 'Granada', 2019
Oil and acrylic on canvas
20 x 28 in
Courtesy of the artist
Brandon Herman, Untitled triptych (Anthony Palm Springs), 2008-2017 (detail)
Three unique framed Polaroids
4.25 x 4.13 x 1.5 in each
Courtesy of the artist
Adam Chuck, 'Catching the Light', 2018
Oil paint on reflective Mylar mounted to BFK 3.75 x 4 in
Courtesy of the artist
Gio Black Peter, 'Goodbye Everybody' 2019
Oil and acrylic on canvas
24 x 20 in
Courtesy of the artist
Brandon Herman, Untitled (Royce dinner plate), 2017-2018
Unique framed Polaroid
3.5 x 4.88 x 1.5 in
Courtesy of the artist
Tom of Finland, 'Vitruvian Man' 1979
Framed fine art print
Edition 6/250
18 x 12 in / 45.72 x 30.48 cm Courtesy of Tom of Finland Store
Stuart Sandford is an artist and independent curator from the UK currently based in Los Angeles. He has exhibited and published his work internationally and has curated and co-curated exhibitions in Los Angeles and London.
Tom of Finland Foundation was established in 1984 by Durk Dehner and his friend Touko Laaksonen a.k.a. Tom of Finland. As Tom had established worldwide recognition as the master of homo-erotic art, the Foundation's original purpose was to preserve his vast catalog of work. Several years later the scope was widened to offer a safe haven for all erotic art in response to rampant discrimination against art that portrayed sexual behavior or generated a sexual response. Today the Foundation continues in its efforts of educating the public as to the cultural merits of erotic art and in promoting healthier, more tolerant attitudes about sexuality.
Dr. Evan Goldstein is the Founder and CEO of Bespoke Surgical, the leading private practice specializing in an elite standard of sexual health and wellness care for the modern gay male. As the preeminent leader in the field and with offices in both New York and Beverly Hills, Dr. Goldstein offers concierge-style medical and surgical expertise to the gay community and is dedicated to not only bringing the important issues surrounding gay sexual health to the forefront, but also eliminating stigmas around gay sexuality.
