- Paperback: 80 pages
- Publisher: Taschen (Jun 1 1995)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 3822893420
- ISBN-13: 978-3822893425
- Product Dimensions: 29.7 x 22.9 x 0.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 454 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,086,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
His art is about high-octane masculinity, with every straining muscle of these muscular bodies lovingly detailed under clothing about to rip apart at the seams. And that includes the crucial zone below the belt, both fore and aft. There was nothing ambiguous about Tom of Finland's interest in his objects of desire: "lf I don't have an erection when I'm doing a drawing, I know it's no good", he himself said. The eroti-cism is naked, even aggressive. The poses inevitably consigned his work to the pornography shelves, and the walls of leather bars in the gay scene. So far there has been no account of the artistic virtuosity of his work.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
The present volume traces the life and career of this important artist. Born in southern Finland, Tom played the piano at local coffee shops to supplement his income as a graphic artist until his watercolors of male sexuality began to appear as covers on major American gay publications. His impact as an artist has since stretched far beyond the gay scene.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Without doubt the GREATEST artist of gay masculinity,
By Bryan (uk) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tom of Finland: The Art of Pleasure (Hardcover)
When I first discovered this book in a London bookshop, I decided at once that I needed to own it. It's large, it's bulky, but it's beautiful. It needs the large pages to illustrate the finest examples of Tom's works. As an artist myself, who learnt a lot from Tom's unique techniques, I appreciate what a fantastic collection of art, both colour and black and white, has been compiled into this collection. But it's not just pictures; there's an insight into the man himself, a delightful tribute to the Master of Homoerotic Art. This volume is a great tribute to Tom and a valuable tool for the new breed of erotic artists, like myself, waiting for recognition.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews) 38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
SIZE MATTERS, and so does CENSORSHIP!,
By Wayne Randall Morrison "BOOTPUNK" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Tom of Finland: The Art of Pleasure (Hardcover)
Now THIS is how the art of Tom of Finland SHOULD be represented...in a volume large enough for us to appreciate the great detail in his work. UNFORTUNATELY, the people at TASCHEN and the Tom of Finland Foundation found it necessary to re-release this wonderful volume in a SMALLER, cheaper version, and that trend has only gotten worse with the recent release of Tom's "COMIC COLLECTION" - which I reviewed negatively only to see that entire title WITHDRAWN from Amazon in less that 24 hours after my review appeared...so to read THAT review, you'll have to click "SEE ALL MY REVIEWS".Isn't CENSORSHIP, especially in the Erotic Art World, a real PITY! -- Click on "SEE ALL MY REVIEWS" 18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Art of Tom of Finland (Hardcover)
His art is about high-octane masculinity, with every straining muscle of these muscular bodies lovingly detailed under clothing about to rip apart at the seams. And that includes the crucial zone below the belt, both fore and aft. There was nothing ambiguous about Tom of Finland's interest in drawing, I know it's no good," he himself said. The eroticism is naked, even aggressive. The poses inevitably consigned his work to the pornography shelves, and the walls of leather bars in the gay scene. So far there has been no account of the artistic virtuosity of his work. The present volume traces the life and career of this important artist. Born in southern Finland, Tom played the piano at local coffee shops to supplement his income as a graphic artist until his watercolors of male sexuality began to appear as covers on major American gay publications. His impact as an artist has since stretched far beyond the gay scene.
Micha Ramakers is an art historian. He has written extensively on the work of Tom of Finland and other visual expressions of post-war gay subcultures. He has been a writer and editor for a number of gay and lesbian magazines and a contributor to several books on international lesbian and gay politics. He has also been the curator and director of the gay and lesbian film festival in Brussels, where he lives. Text in English / German / French, approximately 350 pages, 500 illustrations 10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Book By A Great Artist,
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Art of Tom of Finland (Hardcover)
Tom of Finland helped shape a positive self-image in the gay community at a time when being gay was still considered to be a psychological disorder. He has finally been recognized as a great artist and chronicler of the gay "superman" not just in his own country but throughout the world. This book is beautifully put together: The editor and archivist have created a work with very little text and have allowed the wonderful images speak for the artist. A true collectors item.
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