"Reality & Fantasy The World of Tom of Finland" consists of 30 works produced between 1946 and 1989, covering the entire career of Tom of Finland, paying attention to his diverse talents, while also promoting LGBTQ rights around the world and introducing the era of gay culture. ​

　You can see the development of his artistic style through pieces made in various techniques such as graphite, guash, markers, pens, and ink, and pieces that can be said to be milestones in his activities. Two drawings "Untitled" (from AGM Men of the Forests of Finland, 1957), "Untitled" on the cover of "Pysique Pictorial" magazine (from AGM "Men of the Forests of Finland") and "Untitled" (from the AGM "Motorcycle Thief" series, 1964), which triggered Tom's name to become famous.​

　This exhibition also focuses on Tom of Finland's gay culture and its role in the original freedom of free human beings. In the face of the laws and social harsh realities (realities) that the gay people were fighting to change, Tom encouraged the transformation of society and the acceptance of the gay people by drawing the male body sensually and eroticly. While pursuing the fantasy world along with sexual liberation, Tom dispelled the image that society at that time had imposed on gay men by drawing a completely new "gay masculinity". This will be the first solo exhibition in Japan, the long-awaited Tom of Finland, a historical writer who promoted freedom and social tolerance. ​

Reality & Fantasy The World of Tom of Finland, brings together a selection of works, covering the artist’s entire four decades of career, and presents works on paper using a variety of mediums, such as graphite, gouache, markers, and pen & ink. Historically, the images highlight milestones and artistic stylistic developments in Tom’s life and practice—starting with his 1940s and '50s paintings in gouache, of men in stylish attire and uniforms, such as sailors, soldiers and policemen, in fantastic and romantic compositions, influenced by his army service in Finland—to his stylized depictions of leathermen and muscle men in the ’60s and ’70s, and the cleaner, high contrast and graphic drawings of his later career when he was working in Los Angeles.

The exhibition also features many works commissioned by the Athletic Model Guild (AMG), founded and headed by Bob Mizer in 1945. Tom and Bob had a long-time professional relationship. It was Bob that added "of Finland" to Tom's name as was the fashion of the day. Reality and Fantasy, includes a number of drawings that appeared in AMG's magazine Physique Pictorial, including two drawings that appeared on the cover of the magazine (Untitled, from the AGM “Men of the Forests of Finland” series, 1957; and Untitled, from the AGM “Motorcycle Thief" series, 1964.)

The exhibition puts emphasis on Tom of Finland’s role in promoting sensual and erotic depictions of the male body as a catalyst for social change and the acceptance of gay people, while facing a legal and social reality they were fighting to change. Delving into a world of fantasy, with sexual freedom, Tom depicted a new “gay masculinity”, adding to the vocabulary of what gay men were allowed to be by society.

The exhibition, at GALLERY X, is the fruits of a collaboration between the Finnish Institute Japan, the Embassy of Finland in Japan, the Tom of Finland Foundation, The Container gallery, and PARCO. The exhibition is curated by the Tokyo-based curator and director of The Container, Mr. Shai Ohayon. The exhibition was designed to coincide with Tom’s 100th birthday anniversary - #TOMs100.

1. TOM OF FINLAND (Finnish, 1920-1991), Untitled, 1963, Graphite paper, 12.44 in. x 9.38 in., Tom of Finland Foundation permanent collection, © 1963 - 2020 Tom of Finland Foundation

2. TOM OF FINLAND (Finnish, 1920-1991), Untitled (From the Athletic Model Guild "Men of the Forests of Finland" series), 1957, Graphite paper, 13.00 in. x 9.50 in., Tom of Finland Foundation permanent collection, © 1957 - 2020 Tom of Finland Foundation

3. TOM OF FINLAND (Finnish, 1920-1991), Portrait of Pekka (Cover of Sex in the Shed), 1975, Gouache on paper, 10.69 in. x 8.81 in., Tom of Finland Foundation permanent collection, © 1975 - 2020 Tom of Finland Foundation

4. TOM OF FINLAND (Finnish, 1920-1991), Untitled, 1989, Graphite paper, 12.31 in. x 9.38 in., Tom of Finland Foundation permanent collection, © 1989 - 2020 Tom of Finland Foundation

5. TOM OF FINLAND (Finnish, 1920-1991), Untitled (From the Athletic Model Guild "Motorcycle Thief" series), 1964, Graphite paper, 12.69 in. x 8.63 in., Tom of Finland Foundation permanent collection, © 1964 - 2020 Tom of Finland Foundation

6. TOM OF FINLAND (Finnish, 1920-1991), Untitled, 1947, Graphite paper, 11.31 in. x 8.19 in., Tom of Finland Foundation permanent collection, © 1947 - 2020 Tom of Finland Foundation

Screening of the movie "Tom of Finland"​
Movie Screening "Tom of Finland (2017) " directed by Dome Karukoski
■Date: From September 18, 2020 (Fri) to September 24, 2020 (Thu)
■Venue: WHITE CINE QUINTO (Shibuya PARCO 8F / ShibyaPARCO 8F)​
www.cinequinto.com/white

​​■Date: From September 25, 2020 (Fri) to October 8, 2020 (Thu)
■Venue: UPLINK Shibuya
shibuya.uplink.co.jp/

Satellite Exhibition "Song for Tom"​
Satellite exhibition "An ode to Tom of Finland"
■Date: From September 21, 2020 (Monday) to November 30, 2020 (Monday)
■Venue: The Container (1-8-30 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo / Nakameguro)​
・A related exhibition by the co-organizer The Container​
・Exhibition by Japanese artists influenced by TOM OF FINLAND​
・Writers to participate: Gengoro Tagame, Tsuyoshi Mishima, Jiraiya​
Presenting Japanese artists inspired by Tom’s works: Gengoroh Tagame, Goh Mishima, Jiraiya
the-container.com

[Related Programs]

The Finnish Center will host an online program related to the Tom of Finnish exhibition at Gallery X in Shibuya Parco, Tokyo from September 18th (Fri) to October 5th (Mon), 2020. This program will be a lecture format for discussing the works of various artists from various perspectives. It is also possible for participants to have a question and answer session after each lecture.

The lecture will be held from 18:00 to 19:30 each time (however, starting at 17:00 on September 18 (Friday)), and the Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81362557801?pwd=RmFLbHgxT05CcXZ5Q1NPMy9Q1NPMy905Q1 305Q305Q305Q305Q305Q305Q1 9:05Q19:0) will be followed by the online with an online session with 9:0. The lecture will be held in English and will be accompanied by a Japanese interpreter. Participation fee is free.

Lecture

Friday, September 18, 2020:
The heavenly creature of desire-the male body in the work of Tom of Finland-
Pro Artibus Foundation (Finland) Curator Yuha-Haikki Tihinen
※This lecture will start at 17:00.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020:
There is always meaning in places that seem to be meaningless - national romanticism in the works of Tom of Finland -
Director of Finnish Center Anna-Maria Willyanen

Friday, September 25, 2020:
The long and steep journey of Tom of Finland, which leads to the heart of the art world
Lena-Meya Rossi, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Culture, The University of Helsinki

Friday, October 2, 2020:
"Before Gucci and Golchie, Tom of Finland was there."
The heritage of Tom of Finland in fashion　
Part-time lecturer, Faculty of Design, Aalto University, Mali Vanska Anna

Monday, October 5, 2020:
From the bottom of the counter to the wall of the gallery ~ The influence left by Tom of Finland ~
Finnish Center Project Manager Pasi Yarvinen

Discussion event

Wednesday, September 30, 2020:
Your happiness is my happiness.
-Discussions surrounding LGBT rights in Japan -
Speaker: Georgie Ichikawa, Kazue-chan
Moderator: Anna-Maria Weilyanen
Venue: ComMunE (Commune/Shibuya Parco 10F)

The related programs are subject to change. Thank you for your understanding.

【Auxiliary program】

The Finnish Institute in Japan organizes an auxiliary program in conjunction with the Tom of Finland exhibition that will be held at the Gallery X at Parco Shibuya September 18th – October 5th, 2020. The program consists of lectures that will give highlight the multitalented artist’s art from different perspectives. The audience will also have the possibility to ask questions after each lecture.

Lectures are held at 18:00-19:30PM (lecture 18-19:00 and Q & A for 30 minutes) online in ZOOM (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81362557801?pwd=RmFLbHgxT05CcXZ5Q1NPMy9vU3JaUT09).

Lectures will be in English and interpreted in Japanese and they are free of charge.

LECTURES

September 18th, 2020:
The Heavenly Creatures of Lust – The Male Body made desirable in Tom of Finland’s Drawings
Dr Juha-Heikki Tihinen / Curator, Pro Artibus Foundation, Finland
Attention: this lecture starts at 17:00PM

September 23rd, 2020:
There’s always a meaning in a seemingly meaningless landscape – the National romanticism in Tom of Finland’s drawings
Dr Anna-Maria Wiljanen / Director, Finnish Institute in Japan

September 25th, 2020:
Tom of Finland’s Long and Winding Road to the Center of the Art World
Dr Leena-Maija Rossi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Cultures, University of Helsinki, Finland

October 2nd, 2020:
“Before Gucci and Gaultier, there was Tom of Finland”. On the legacy of Tom of Finland to fashion
Dr Annamari Vänskä /Adjunct Professor, Department of Design, Aalto University, Finland

October 5th, 2020:
Under the counter to the gallery walls – The Impact of Tom of Finland
BA Pasi Järvinen / Project manager, Finnish Institute in Japan

DISCUSSION EVENT

September 30th, 2020:
Your happiness is my happiness – a discussion about the LGBT rights in Japan
Participants: Georgie Ichikawa and Kazue Chan. Moderator: Anna-Maria Wiljanen.
Venue: ComMunE (Shibuya Parco 10F)

The auxiliary program may be subject to changes.

Finnish artist (May 8, 1920-November 7, 1991). It is widely known for his work depicting gay and for promoting the rights of LGBT people and social movements aimed at being accepted by society. His life spanned 3,500 drawings and are housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Art Institute Chicago, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Kiasma, etc.​

In 1984, the nonprofit Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF) was established by Durk Dehner and his friend Tom. As Tom of Finland had established worldwide recognition as the master of homoerotic 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 ToFF 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.

www.TomOfFinland.org

Orders will also be sold on the EC site "PARCO ONLINE STORE" from 9/18 (Fri). There are also online limited products.
You can purchase exhibition merchandise on "PARCO ONLINE STORE". We have some items only for online.
PARCO ONLINE STORE： https://kaeru.parco.jp/

※The image is an image.
※The design is subject to change.