The exhibition reveals the man behind Tom of Finland
A multifaceted portrait of the artist Touko Laaksonen is conveyed through his extensive correspondence. The letters are on display for the first time!
The gay erotica of Tom of Finland has spread all around the world. Despite this far-reaching recognition the profile of the artist himself, Touko Laaksonen (1920-1991), has remained rather one-sided. The exhibition presents a multidimensional person. It is an exhibition about Tom of Finland as a man: as young man, soldier, musician, AD, brother, friend, artist, old man suffering from emphysema – and as a marvelous writer.
Tom of Finland produced more than 3 500 images during his career. The two ones appearing on the stamp sheet are both untitled and date in the late 70's. They encapsulate the self-aware, unapologetic and proud archetypes of Tom of Finland as well as the photorealistic and b/w toned aesthetics of his eloquent signature.
Postal Museum opens at Vapriikki in September 2014