LOS ANGELES — Finalists have been selected for the 2022 Tom of Finland photo competition and charity auction, sponsored by Tom of Finland Organic Vodka as a Pride Month celebration of the late erotic artist.
For the competition, artists were asked to create "a modern interpretation of Tom of Finland’s famous art, which spanned from the mid 1950s to the early '90s, truly a first of its kind in celebrating gay sexuality in a positive, affirming and unashamed fashion," a rep said. "Tom of Finland’s work has inspired countless artists and entertainers, including Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorpe, Freddie Mercury, Jean Paul Gaultier and George Michael."
Photographers making it to the final round of the competition are:
- Carlos Campos
- Andrew Gleason
- Kenneth Gruenholtz
- Jason Jackson, The Erotiese Project
- Kevin McDermott
- David Zimmerman
- Eric Wainwright
Through June 20, each artist will have their work featured on the Tom of Finland Organic Vodka Instagram page. On July 1, two winners will be chosen, a Jury Winner and an Audience Winner. The public votes for the Audience Winner by commenting on the social media post featuring the photograph with the word "VOTE" and the hashtag #YourTomIsShowing. The Jury Winner is selected by a judging panel which includes representatives from Tom of Finland Organic Vodka as well as other artists.
Winners will receive $1,000 for their work, on top of the $500 each finalist already received. Following the voting, all of the finalist photographs will be listed on charity auction site CharityBuzz, with all proceeds going to the Tom of Finland Foundation.
"It’s an exciting proposition to asks today’s contemporary artists to reimagine and celebrate the work of such an important artist not only to the gay community, but the entire world of contemporary art," said Olli Hietalahti, CEO of Spirit of Tom and co-creator of Tom of Finland Organic Vodka. "The finalists have captured the very essence and ethos of Tom of Finland’s art. It’s very important to us that Tom’s work lives on for generations to enjoy and explore, making the support of the Tom of Finland Foundation all the more critical."
Find Tom of Finland Vodka online and on Instagram and Twitter.
Learn about the Tom of Finland Foundation here.
