TOM OF FINLAND THE DARKROOM EXHIBITION HARD MAGNET (Gavin)

Fotografiska is an internationally renowned destination for photography, founded in Stockholm in 2010 and now expanding globally – first to Tallinn Estonia and now to New York City. Brothers Jan and Per Broman built the concept of Fotografiska on the foundation of photography as a haven for innovation and free expression. Our goal is to inspire a more conscious world through the power of photography. We showcase the greatest photographers, whether they’re emerging artists or already established internationally. The presentation of photography is powerful and unparalleled and includes over 200 exhibitions to date, including David LaChapelle, Annie Leibovitz, Albert Watson, Sally Mann, Cooper & Gorfer, Ren Hang and Christian Tagliavini. Fotografiska produces a broad range of rotating exhibitions, from easily accessible to hardcore conceptual, shot by grand masters and emerging talent. Rising stars are displayed next to icons. Styles range across abstract, landscape, portrait, documentary and more. All that matters is the communicative power of photography.

Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen), world famous sketch artist of homoerotic art depicted extremely masculine men with muscles as big as their erection, and self-confidence to spare. However, not too many people know that Tom of Finland took photographs of his friends and partners to use as inspiration for his drawings. The exhibition “The Darkroom” opens the unknown side of Tom of Finland’s art - Fotografiska Tallinn presents the premiere of his drawings displayed together with his photography.

Tom of Finland was the pseudonym of Touko Laaksonen (1920–1991), the Finnish artist whose drawings of muscular, joyful men in leather and uniforms became defining images of gay culture. Working from the 1950s onwards, he created a confident, celebratory vision of masculinity that has since been embraced by museums, fashion houses and designers around the world.