Collection: Tom of Finland

Tom of Finland (born Touko Laaksonen, 1920–1991) was a Finnish artist and illustrator considered a pioneer of queer art and the creator of some of the most iconic works of homoeroticism of the 20th century. He became particularly well-known for his Kake comics series, in which he depicted highly sexualized, hypermasculine male figures in uniforms or leather clothing—usually without words, but with powerful imagery.

With his work, Tom of Finland shaped not only the visual identity of the LGBTQ+ community but also the global gay art movement. His drawings influenced not only leather culture but also pop culture, fashion, and photography.

Laaksonen began drawing homoerotic male figures as early as the 1950s. He gained international recognition in 1957 through publications in the magazine Physique Pictorial. In 1968, his first comic book, Kake: The Intruder, was published, ushering in a new era of queer illustration. Until his death in 1991, Tom of Finland published over 20 volumes, including the popular "Beach Boys" comics, which are also part of the Kake series.

Today, Tom of Finland is considered a symbol of self-empowerment, sexual freedom, and queer visibility. His work is exhibited in museums worldwide, including the Tom of Finland Foundation Archive in Los Angeles. Renowned art book publishers such as TASCHEN also publish his comics in high-quality complete editions.