The woven works, many unseen or ever reproduced, feature portraits, scenes depicting camaraderie, homoerotic gaze, flirtation and sexual acts. One drawing outlines a man engaged in a boot fetish scene, another a nipple flirtation, whereas a third, a f**k scene, bringing new meaning to love making on a rug. A single hand knotted rug, entirely woven by hand over the course of five months, depicts one of Tom of Finland’s most iconic works of a “leatherman” wearing a cap. The drawing was made as a study for the visual identity of the gay leather bar TOM’S SALOON, the only place Tom lent his name to. Made with comparable intricacy as the original drawing, it is free form and in select areas enhanced with silk to add shine and replicate the effect of polished leather and graphite of the artist’s pencil. Virtual replicas of drawings that correspond to the rugs showcase the artist’s diverse material approaches to his meticulous figurations - including sharp pen and marker linework, ink washes, and delicate pencil shading.

The exhibition is topped off with 4 handmade collages by Joakim Andreasson that are featured on chromogenic printed velour rugs. These are inspired by the numerous collage montages that can be found at TOM House - home of Tom of Finland Foundation - covering entire pieces of furniture, in nooks on walls and ceilings, and even on the rear end of a vintage car. The featured collages are composed of proof prints from vintage Tom of Finland books published by the Foundation in the 80s, pages from original PHYSIQUE PICTORIAL magazines from the 60s-70s and other printed material accumulated over the past thirty years. The dense works illustrate the vast styles and techniques of the artists, and offer a visually stunning and unfiltered insight into Tom of Finland’s work.

The integration Tom of Finland’s work into the media at hand was ignited by the unique environment and interior elements of TOM House. Located in Echo Park, Los Angeles, it is home of Tom of Finland Foundation, guardians of the artist’s body of work and living archive for the erotic arts, and where Tom lived for the last decade of his life. Founded in 1984, it a place where Tom’s relentlessly butch aesthetic and drawings mingle with different styles of décor, artifacts, rotating art displays and open aircinstallations. It is a place that is marked by a community that disarms shame and judgment, and promotes Tom’s message of encouraging respect, acceptance and love through art.