All photos were taken during my artist residency at the Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles 2018/19
I must have been 16 or 17 years old when I was introduced to the work of Tom of Finland in form of a little Taschen book. On the cover was one of Toms men in a Santa hat and coat, pulling the shaft of an impressive leather boot and a more than promising smile on his face. The book wasn´t hidden away, but sold over the counter in a respectable bookstore and I could not wait to bring it home and spend quality time with it. But besides the obvious sensations, the book also gave me a first overview of Toms 40 year long spanning body of work, and immediately lured me into his world. Looking back I understand now that his art works gave 17 year old me the permission to enjoy my sexuality. In a time where homosexuality was still considered by the majority of society as a stigma, and gay sex easily could lead to death, Tom introduced me to proud, happy gay men, celebrating their life and sex with confidence in full daylight. Nothing was hidden, and there was no shame attached to it. And I couldn't have had a better role model than that.
Years later a friend took me to the house on Laveta terrace in Los Angeles where Tom lived a good part of his later life and founded the Tom of Finland Foundation together with Durk Dehner in 1984. During the guided tour through the house, I felt a bit like a teenager again, imagining all the people who lived, loved and created in this special place in the past. Listening to S.R. Sharp telling the life story of Tom, the Foundation, the archive and their mission to protect and support queer art, I knew I wanted to come back and be part of this legacy.
In December 2018 I returned as artist in residence to the foundation. I was at the same time excited and nervous about living in a very busy house with others. But what I found was a loving community, who warmly welcomed me and supported me in every possible way.
Living in a cultural landmark is a funny thing. You are surrounded by beautiful art works, have access to an huge archive, but there are also guided tours through your living space and a lot of people come and go every day. And yet I barley ever felt a more inspiring energy than living in the Tom of Finland foundation. Coming back to house also means for me coming back to a family.