ToFF presents six internationally renowned judges for this year’s competition: interdisciplinary artist Honey Dijon; previous Competition winner Mr Gruts; creative director of DIESEL Glenn Martens; professor in art history Richard Meyer; multimedia artist Slava Mogutin; and art dealer Graham Steele.
www.tomoffinland.org/past-emerging-artist-contests
In 1993, the Foundation initiated this contest based on Tom of Finland’s principles and ethical codes. As an artist, mentor and activist for equality, Tom encouraged freedom of expression and strived to remove the stigma inhibiting artistic practice. The Competition provides an unrestrained platform for artists to express what is in their minds and hearts truly.
The Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition gives emerging artists the unique opportunity to have their work viewed and judged by a group of highly respected professionals. Previous winners, now established names in the art world, include Patrick Lee, Hector Silva, Marc DeBauch, Douglas Holquist, Nancy Peach and Jay Jorgensen. In addition to awards, ToFF gives winners a Tom of Finland fine art print, a copy of a Tom of Finland publication, exhibition opportunities and promotional support. This year the Grand Prize Winner receives this original, preparatory drawing by Tom of Finland.
ToFF cofounder, Durk Dehner, said of the Competition: “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 honour Tom of Finland’s inspired generations of young homosexuals.”
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.” ToFF CXO S.R. Sharp says about the Competition and its artists. “It is without trepidation that 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.”
Every Competition is judged by a panel of international notable figures from different areas of the visual arts. Previous judges include Elmgreen & Dragset, Jonathan Anderson, Matt Lambert, Richard Hawkins, Bruce La Bruce, Helmet Lang, Nayland Blake, and Russell Tovey and Robert Diament.
A call goes out for artists throughout the world, and the Tom of Finland Foundation welcomes all, who fall within the parameters, to enter. Submissions must be received by the closing date of August 15, 2022.
The winners of the 11th Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition will be notified on September 6, 2022, and awards are presented at the Tom of Finland Art and Culture Festival on October 7-9, 2022.
Further details about the 2022 Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition.
Previous submissions to the Competition can be viewed online on the Foundation’s website.
www.tomoffinland.org/past-emerging-artist-contests
