Museum Centre Vapriikki
presents:
Sealed with a Secret
Correspondence of Tom of Finland

The exhibition reveals the man behind Tom of Finland, who rose to world renown. A multifaceted portrait of the artist Touko Laaksonen is conveyed through his extensive correspondence. The letters are on display for the first time!

The gay erotica of Tom of Finland has spread all around the world. Despite this far-reaching recognition the profile of the artist himself, Touko Laaksonen (1920-1991), has remained rather one-sided. The exhibition presents a multidimensional person. It is an exhibition about Tom of Finland as a man: as young man, soldier, musician, AD, brother, friend, artist, old man suffering from emphysema – and as a marvelous writer.

His exhaustive correspondence covers seven decades from the early 1940s to the year of his passing in 1991. Besides letters the exhibition presents Touko Laaksonen’s early paintings; his portraits drawn by his sisters; art works by Tom of Finland; photos from different phases of his life; as well as his outfits.

In cooperation with:
Touko Laaksonen's family Tom of Finland Foundation Homotopia Turku 2011 Foundation Arts Promotion Centre Finland Itella Corporation Tom of Finland Seura Like Publishing/Otava archives Seta The Finnish Comics Professionals The Finnish Comics Society	Kenneth Wickman Tuomo Niemelä Kristiina Kukko Timo Berry Solja Järvenpää Kalervo Pulkkinen Cay Sevón Susanna Luoto, Curator Graphic Design by Wallu

On 8th September, Itella will release a set of stamps in Finland to honor "the most famous Finnish artist in the world". The three 1st class stamps were coordinated by Solja Järvenpää; Timo Berry; and Susanna Luoto and Durk Dehner of Tom of Finland Foundation.

Sealed with a Secret inaugurates the new Postal Museum at the Museum Centre Vapriikki.

10th September, 6-8p: Curator’s Talk, “The Artist of Various Images”, with Susanna Luoto.

Check our Announcements Page.

Tom of Finland produced more than 3,500 images during his career. The two drawings appearing on the stamp sheet are both untitled and date from the late 70s. They encapsulate the self-aware, unapologetic and proud archetypes of Tom of Finland, as well as the photorealistic and b/w toned aesthetics of his eloquent signature.

ADULT TASTE Tours
Special guided 30 minute tours of the exhibition. 18+ Presenting the artist’s boldest works, which are not usually on display. February 13, 2015 March 14 and 27, 2015 Tours at 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM Wine bar open till 7:15 PM TICKETS Visitors can stop at the bar, before or after a tour, and view TOM literature and a slideshow.
A guide acting as Touko Laaksonen (Tom of Finland) will reveal personal details about the artist’s life, the awakening of his sexuality, his loves, and being raised in Kaarina.

Museum Centre Vapriikki
Gallery Hours: Check website for current times and dates.
Alaverstaanraitti 5, 33101 Tampere, Finland · Map · +358 (0) 3 5656 6966
Museum Centre Vapriikki Website