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    New Tom of Finland Sketchbook Goes Deep Into the Gay Artist's Process

    Donald Padgett
    | 05/28/22

    New Tom of Finland Sketchbook Goes Deep Into the Gay Artist's Process

    'Tom of Finland: An Imaginary Sketchbook' Offers Insight Into the Artistic Process

    A sketch of a man facing the reader, in an opened red shirt on the left side; a sketch of a light haired mustached man gazing up leftward on the right side.

    A new book on Tom of Finland takes a novel approach to the legendary artist's work. Rather than highlight Tom's later work, Tom of Finland: An Imaginary Sketchbook is instead a cross-section of his less polished and unfinished freehand drawings and sketches. Edited by author, art dealer, and collector Juerg Judin and German art critic and writer Pay Matthis Karstens just in time for Pride, the book has the look and feel of a sketchbook.

    Born Touko Laaksonen (1920-1991), Tom revolutionized not just the depiction of gay men with his highly stylized and hypersexualized imagery but also the way they were perceived in society and how they perceived themselves. As he created his work at a time when it was illegal to do so, much of Tom's earlier work could land both the artist and collector in jail on indecency and pornography charges. As a result, recognition of his artistry spread organically via word of mouth and outside the museums and galleries of the established art world.

    Tom of Finland: An Imaginary Sketchbook is the first book to center Tom's sketches and freehand drawings. By using the format of an imaginary sketchbook, Karsten says the volume offers readers a chance to experience a different perspective than Tom's more familiar finished works that are sold in galleries or emblazoned on merchandise such as shirts. Karsten says the trademark oversized genitalia, leather attire, and liberal amounts of skin and sex are still on display in the book but in a less polished form.

    Tom of Finland: An Imaginary Sketchbook has 70 color illustrations over 128 pages and is published by Skira Editore. The book goes on sale June 7.

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing) 1989 Graphite on paper 48.3 \u00d7 36.2 cm TOF-075 \u00a9 1989\u20142022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing)

    1989

    Graphite on paper

    48.3 x 36.2 cm

    TOF-075

    (c) 1989--2022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing) 1980 Graphite on paper 41.9 \u00d7 29.8 cm TOF-031 \u00a9 1980\u20142022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing)

    1980

    Graphite on paper

    41.9 x 29.8 cm

    TOF-031

    (c) 1980--2022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing) 1973 Graphite on paper 28.6 \u00d7 20.3 cm TOF-060 \u00a9 1973\u20142022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing)

    1973

    Graphite on paper

    28.6 x 20.3 cm

    TOF-060

    (c) 1973--2022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing) 1973 Graphite on paper 42.2 \u00d7 29.5 cm TOF-082 \u00a9 1973\u20142022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing)

    1973

    Graphite on paper

    42.2 x 29.5 cm

    TOF-082

    (c) 1973--2022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing) 1977 Graphite on paper 30.5 \u00d7 20.3 cm TOF-066 \u00a9 1989\u20142022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing)

    1977

    Graphite on paper

    30.5 x 20.3 cm

    TOF-066

    (c) 1989--2022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing) 1987 Graphite on paper 29.8 x 41.9 cm TOF-014 \u00a9 1987\u20142022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing)

    1987

    Graphite on paper

    29.8 x 41.9 cm

    TOF-014

    (c) 1987--2022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing) ca. 1988 Graphite and color pencil on paper 29.8 \u00d7 21 cm TOF-011 \u00a9 1984\u20142022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing)

    ca. 1964

    Graphite on paper

    29.2 x 21 cm

    TOF-004

    (c) 1964--2022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    9-body_tomfinland011_800wide_creditonimage_0

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing)

    ca. 1988

    Graphite and color pencil on paper

    29.8 x 21 cm

    TOF-011

    (c) 1984--2022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing) 1970 Graphite and color pencil on paper 29.8 \u00d7 21 cm TOF-042 \u00a9 1970\u20142022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

    Untitled (Preparatory drawing)

    1970

    Graphite and color pencil on paper

    29.8 x 21 cm

    TOF-042

    (c) 1970--2022 Tom of Finland Foundation, LLC

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