Tom of Finland Foundation Announce Their 10th Annual Emerging Artist Competition

Tom of Finland

Tom of Finland Foundation has just announced the 10th TOM OF FINLAND EMERGING ARTIST COMPETITION. To celebrate its 10th anniversary of the prize and 30 years of the Tom of Finland Foundation (est. 1984). The Foundation is honored to have the participation of a stellar group of 10 internationally renowned contemporary artists as judges including,  Elmgreen & Dragset (Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset), assume vivid astro focus (Eli Sudbrack and Christophe Hamaide-Pierson), Richard Hawkins, Ryan Heffington, Bruce LaBruce, Helmut Lang, Linder and A.L. Steiner.

The Tom of Finland Foundation initiated this contest in1993 based on the principals and ethical codes of its cofounder Touko Laaksonen, a.k.a. Tom of Finland. As artist, mentor and activist for equality, Tom of Finland encouraged freedom of expression and strived to remove stigma inhibiting artistic practice. This competition provides an unrestrained platform for artists to truly express what is in their minds and hearts.

The TOM OF FINLAND ARTIST COMPETITION gives emerging artists the unique opportunity to have their work viewed and judged by a group of highly respected professionals in the field and to assist them with their artistic pursuits. Previous winners, now established names in the art world, include Mark DeBauch, Douglas Holquist, Jay Jorgensen, Patrick Lee, Nancy Peach and Hector Silva. In addition to the award, Tom of Finland Foundation prizes to each winner Tom of Finland artwork, exhibition opportunities and promotional support.

In actively mentoring emerging artists, being guardians of culture, and providing safe environments that nurture growth and blossoming of a broader context of visual erotic arts, we pursue Tom of Finland’s ethos and practice that inspired generations. – Durk Dehner, President and Cofounder of Tom of Finland Foundation

The main criterion for entering the Competition is that the artist is not already commercially selling work that portrays sexuality. Entered artwork may be photographs, drawings, paintings, collages, sculptures, three dimensional art, digital art, or mixed media.

Artists create what they see. It is without trepidation of what of their works are seen. Sexuality is a nourishing element in a whole being. The artist Tom of Finland embodies an era of freedom. This competition gives a remarkable opportunity for the new artist to show their complete self and be recognized by others. – S. R. Sharp, Curator at Tom of Finland Foundation

Each Competition is judged by a panel of international judges from different areas of the visual arts. Previous judges include Tom Bianchi, photographer, Los Angeles; Nayland Blake, artist and professor, New York; Edward Lucie-Smith, art critic, historian and author, London and Micha Ramaker, writer Art of Pleasure, Brussels, Belgium.

A call goes out for artists throughout the world, and Tom of Finland Foundation welcomes all ,who fall within the parameters, to enter. Submissions must be received by the closing date of November 3rd, 2014. Applications are available from the ToFF homepage, TomOfFinlandFoundation.org.

The winners of the 10th TOM OF FINLAND EMERGING ARTIST COMPETITION will be announced on December 3rd and the Awards presented at the Foundation’s 30th anniversary on December 14th, 2014. A selection of previous submissions to the Contest are currently on display at TOM House, Tom of Finland Foundation Headquarters in Los Angeles.

For further details about the 2014 Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition, visit HERE. ABOUT TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION

Tom of Finland Foundation is a nonprofit organization, a 501(c)(3) Educational Archive: #95-406-5795, co-founded by the artist in 1984. It is supported by donations from the public, various fundraising events, and dues from its membership programs. The men and women who support their efforts and goals dedicate themselves both financially and as volunteers enabling TOM’s organization to present an impressive number of activities, including social events, solons and workshops. The extensive Tom of Finland library and archives serve both researchers and eager visitors.

Tom of Finland Foundation’s original mission was to preserve and document Tom’s permanent collection for future generations. Within a few years, the rampant spread of AIDS had brought about the death of many erotic artists and the consequent destruction of their work by uncaring or vengeful heirs. Heeding the pleas of desperate artists, the Foundation expanded its mission to include preserving, protecting, and promoting all erotic art. The Permanent Collection houses more than 1,500 original works by Tom, and another 2,000 works by hundreds of other artists, and the archives, with well over 100,000 images, documents, and records, together comprise the world’s largest repository of erotic art.

Enter Competiton Here

Tags

,