Tom of Finland: The Official Life and Work of a Gay Hero by F Valentine Hooven

Tom of Finland: The Official Life and Work of a Gay Hero by F Valentine Hooven

Tom of Finland (born Tuoko Laaksonen, 1920–1991), was an iconic and ground-breaking artist who rose to cult status in the international queer community and beyond for his work celebrating the male figure and masculinity during a time when being homosexual was taboo. Created in partnership with Tom of Finland Foundation, Tom of Finland: The Official Life and Work of a Gay Hero is a beautifully detailed account full of never, or rarely seen, materials from his archive. The text was completed just a few months before the death of the artist and he was interviewed at length for it—making this book the only fully approved biography of the legend responsible for creating the muscled, mustachioed gay archetype of the 1960s and '70s.
 
With a foreword by Jean Paul Gaultier, an extensive history, and provocative photos and illustrations, Tom of Finland: The Official Life and Work of a Gay Hero brings to life the story of the icon whose erotic depictions of men influenced many artists, including Robert Mapplethorpe and Bruce Weber.

Philadelphia native F. Valentine Hooven III is a freelance writer and illustrator who lives in West Hollywood. In the years leading up to Tom of Finland’s death, Hooven wrote Tom’s biography, tracing the evolution and impact of his art on the world.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9782374951331
ISBN 10	2374951332
Title	Tom of Finland: The Official Life and Work of a Gay Hero
Author	F Valentine Hooven
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Cernunnos
Year published	2020-09-01
Number of pages	256
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.