The Tom of Finland Foundation had their first exhibition of permanent works here this past August. The 65-piece installation featured a broad spectrum of erotic artwork, including leather scenes and more mainstream images with men of all colors at various levels of hairiness. Also on display were a select few of the 500 Tom of Finland originals that were donated by late porn star Scott O'Hara. Other artists on display included Sean, Michael Kirwan, Domino, Etienne, The Hun, Justice Howard, Tomi Ungerer and photographer Greg Gorman.
"We are in a renaissance of erotic art," said Tom of Finland Foundation president Durk Dehner. "We want people to come and be exposed to it and, over time, become collectors."
The foundation currently holds about 2,500 works of erotic art, consisting of 1,500 Tom of Finland originals, including pencil works and pen-and-ink washes, along with 1,000 works by other artists.
The permanent works will soon be traveling to France for the foundation's Paris opening before moving on to Venice. Dehner was also gearing up for the 1999 Erotic Art Fair, held Oct. 15-17 in Los Angeles.
Dedicated to protecting, preserving and promoting erotic art, The Tom of Finland Foundation was created jointly by Tom of Finland (a.k.a. Touko Laaksonen) and Dehner. The primary goal of the foundation is to not only promote erotic art, but also to ensure such art receives the academic attention it deserves. Dehner adds, "We are essentially a safe haven for all erotic art."
For more information on the Tom of Finland Foundation, contact Dehner at (213) 250-1685 or visit their Website at www.eroticarts.com
