Get Ready for the 10th Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition

In celebration of the artist Tom of Finland’s 100th birth year and the Foundation’s 36th year in operation, Tom of Finland Foundation presents the 2020 Competition.

In 1993, the Foundation initiated this contest based on the principals and ethical codes of Tom of Finland. As an artist, mentor and activist for equality, Tom encouraged freedom of expression and strived to remove stigma inhibiting artistic practice. This competition provides an unrestrained platform for artists to truly express what is in their minds and hearts.

The purpose of this contest is twofold: to encourage artists to share their erotic work and to elevate the field of erotic art by rewarding some of the best current examples. The contest is open to any artist with the exception of previous winners of this contest, or artists who are already selling erotic work commercially. All others are eligible: advertising designers, art students, or just midnight doodlers – anyone who creates erotic works of art.

THE COMPETITION

This competition is for emerging artists only. An emerging artist is defined as an artist who has not commercially sold work that portrays sexuality.

All submissions must be received by the closing date of November 15, 2020 at midnight Pacific.

The winners of the 10th Tom of Finland Emerging Artists Competition will be announced on December 3, 2020 and the awards are presented at the 36th anniversary event during the Art and Culture Festival on 11th December, 2020.
The competition is open to all media. Submissions may include photography, drawings, paintings, mixed media, collage, sculpture, three dimension art, or digital renderings.

For more information on entering the contest go here.

TOM OF FINLAND GRAND PRIZE:

• The winner shall receive a Tom of Finland preparatory drawing
• The winner shall receive an online solo presentation at Tom of Finland Store
• The winner shall receive complimentary participation in a future Tom of Finland Art and Culture Festival
• The winner shall receive a Foundation membership at the Partner level
• The winner shall receive a book: My Gay Eye – signed copy of Tom of Finland Foundation Special
• Winners shall receive a book: TOM OF FINLAND: The Official Life and Work of a Gay Hero
• The winner shall receive a 100 Anniversary Tom of Finland hardcover blank book
• The Grand Prize winner receives the above prizes in lieu of the category prizes listed with the other prizes here.

2020 Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition sponsored by 10 Men Magazine and Tom of Finland Store

Detail from Tom of Finland’s room at TOM House

Photo by Henning von Berg
Courtesy Tom of Finland Foundation

JUDGES
Eight internationally renowned judges for this year’s competition:

Jonathan Anderson is a designer with a curatorial approach to fashion making and brand building. Born in Magherafelt, United Kingdom. Lives and works in London.
Seth Bogart is an artist and musician. Born in Tuscon, Arizona. Lives and works in Los Angeles.
Nao Bustamante is a performance artist, filmmaker, and writer. Lives and Works in Los Angeles.
Matt Lambert is a filmmaker and photographer. Born in Los Angeles. Lives and works in Berlin, Germany.
Felipe Meres is an artist and winner of the EAC Grand Prize Winner 2014. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Lives and works in New York, USA.
Silvia Prada is an artist creating figurative drawings. Born in Spain. Lives and works in New York.
Martin Sorrondeguy is a visual artist, photographer, and musician. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay. Lives in Chicago and works worldwide.
Russell Tovey & Robert Diament are the hosts of the podcast "Talk Art". Robert was born in Reading, UK and Russell was born in Essex, England. Both live and work in London.

HOW IT IS JUDGED

Judges will make their decisions based, above all, on erotic content, taking into consideration all artistic criteria by which art is usually judged. Sixteen categories of prizes will be awarded. There are three winners in each of the five categories, plus an overall Grand Prize Winner from all categories combined.