The Darkroom by Tom of Finland

About

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth, Fotografiska in collaboration with Tom of Finland Foundation produced The Darkroom, an exciting study in artist Tom of Finland's (born Touko Laaksonen, 1920 - 1991) life and work process. The exhibition, curated by Berndt Arell, will now travel from Fotografiska Stockholm to Fotografiska New York in time for Tom of Finland’s 101st birthday this Spring. The Darkroom consists of photographic portraits which served as reference images for his famed homoerotic drawings. These photographs were confined to his home studio and darkroom, displaying them elsewhere would have risked a prison sentence, as homosexuality was criminalized and classified as a mental disorder in Finland at the time of his work. 

Tom of Finland is celebrated internationally for his prolific and positive portrayal of confident gay men. His representational subjects are masculine, attractive, endowed with pronounced muscles and genitalia, and often dressed in uniforms or leather gear. His depictions of queer culture thoroughly challenged contemporary society, and solidified his place as one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century.