Scroll To Top
Art

In the Galleries: Bob Mizer & Tom of Finland

In the Galleries: Bob Mizer & Tom of Finland

Mizer_tom_leadx400

The work of these two men set the dials of fantasy for multiple generations of gay men (and some women) since the middle of the last century.

Support The Advocate
LGBTQ+ stories are more important than ever. Join us in fighting for our future. Support our journalism.

"Bob Mizer & Tom of Finland" is the first American museum exhibition devoted to the work of Bob Mizer (1922-1992) and Touko Laaksonen, a.k.a. Tom of Finland (1920-1991), two of the most recognizable figures of 20th century erotic art and forefathers of an emergent postwar gay culture. Organized by Museum of Contemporary Art curator Bennett Simpson and guest cocurator Richard Hawkins, in collaboration with the artists' respective foundations, the exhibition will feature a selection of Laaksonen's masterful drawings and collages, alongside Mizer's photographs, photo-collages, and films, as well as his groundbreaking magazine Physique Pictorial -- where drawings by Tom were first published in 1957.

"Bob Mizer & Tom of Finland"
November 2, 2013 - January 26, 2014
MOCA/Pacific Design Center

Thanks also to the Bob Mizer Foundation and the Tom of Finland Foundation.

12bob_mizer20x633_0
Bob Mizer, Untitled [Dennis Lavia in Shower with Washcloth], c. 1964. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

Click through for more selctions from this exhibit >>

16tof_8x633_0_0
Tom of Finland, Untitled (From Jungle Seafood story), 1972 Pen & ink, gouache on paper 8.63" x 6.94"
Tom of Finland Foundation Permanent Collection (c) 1972 Tom of Finland Foundation

13bob_mizer19x633_0
Bob Mizer, Athletic Model Guild Catalog Board, Ernie Rabb. c.1957. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

11tof_2x633_0
Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1962 Graphite on paper 12.00" x 9.50"
Collection of Volker Morlock, (c) 1962 Tom of Finland Foundation

Bob_mizer13x633_0

Bob Mizer, Untitled [Larry Lamb, Profile with Chains], c. 1959. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

Bob_mizer18x633_0
Bob Mizer, Athletic Model Guild Catalog Board, Ernie Rabb. c.1957. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

12bob_mizer3x633_0
Bob Mizer, Physique Pictorial, 1957. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

Bob_mizer15x633_0
Bob Mizer, Untitled [Dennis Schreffer with Portrait], c. 1957. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

24tof_5x633_0
Tom of Finland, Untitled (From Beach Boy 1 story), 1971 Pen & ink, gouache on paper 8.25" x 5.75"
COQ International Collection, Tom of Finland Foundation Permanent Collection (c) 1971 Tom of Finland Foundation

Bob_mizer9x633_0
Bob Mizer, Untitled [Ray Hornsby, Motorcycle], c. 1957. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

Bob_mizer16x633_0_0
Bob Mizer. Athletic Model Guild Catalog Board, David Elliott. c.1965. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

Bob_mizer6x633_0
Bob Mizer, Untitled [Barry Maurer, Hand on Gun], c. 1961. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

Bob_mizer4x633_0
Bob Mizer, Physique Pictorial, 1961. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

Bob_mizer2x633_0

Bob Mizer, Physique Pictorial, 1962. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

Bob_mizer17x633_0
Bob Mizer. Athletic Model Guild Catalog Board, David Elliott. c.1965. Published with permission of Bob Mizer Foundation.

Stonewall Brick AwardsOut / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff & Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Advocate.com Editors