A Small Collection of Exaggerated Proportions

Tom of Finland Drawings (GLC 108)
LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library

With the release of Dome Karukoski's film Tom of Finland, there is renewed interest in the life and work of Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen (1920-1991). Better known as Tom of Finland, his work appeals to and represents an entire community of gay men who enjoy the erotic charge of leather, uniforms, and well-muscled men.

A search in the library’s online catalog reveals several books about Tom of Finland and a documentary. The books include: Tom of Finland: Life and Work of a Gay Hero and Tom of Finland: His Life and Times by F. Valentine Hooven, et al.; Tom of Finland: The Art of Pleasure, text by Micha Ramakers; Tom House: Tom of Finland in Los Angeles (2016); and Dirty Pictures: Tom of Finland, Masculinity, and Homosexuality by Micha Ramakers. The 1993 documentary is called Daddy and the Muscle Academy: Tom of Finland.

Tom of Finland Drawings (GLC 108)
LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library

However, you might not be aware that the library owns five original Tom of Finland drawings (GLC 108). In June 2015, Tom Nicoll contacted the LGBTQIA Center to see if we would be interested in some original artwork by Tom of Finland. Naturally, we jumped at the chance. Nicoll, who was a friend of Tom of Finland's, had a small collection of drawings that nicely represented the various themes of Tom of Finland's work: hyper-masculine men in uniforms or leather and in erotically charged scenarios.

Tom of Finland Drawings (GLC 108)
LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library

We selected 5 representative pieces. In one, a beach scene with five men, the jeans-clad fellow in the distance is Tom Nicoll. He also shared a copy of a photo taken in his younger years. These five original drawings are available through the San Francisco History Center, 6th floor, Main Library. The artwork is housed, quite appropriately, in an oversized folder.

Tom Nicoll, Tom of Finland Drawings (GLC 108)
LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library

Last Call! Final Week for 20th Anniversary Exhibition!

They say all good things must come to an end. And that is the case with our 20th anniversary exhibition Queerest.Library.Ever. One week from today, Sunday, August 7th is the last day to see the show before we begin to put back all of the letters, scrapbooks, photos, and objects.

Tom Nicoll viewing the Tom of Finland display
(Photo courtesy of Brian Castagne)

I know you're asking "What does that really mean?"

It means...
If you haven't had a chance to see Gay Monopoly, go to the Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch library, go directly to EVA, do not pass go...there you'll see Queer and Quirky: OBJECTifying Ourselves.

It also means...
If you're wondering who was on the Hormel Founders Committee and what their hairstyles were 20-odd years ago, you should visit the Hormel Center exhibition on the 3rd floor of the Main Library. You'll find materials on the beginnings of the Center and photos from the Shades of LGBTQI collecting project along with original artwork from Reversing Vandalism.

Sylvester
(GLC 101 Collection on Sylvester)

And if you'd like to see a photo of a young Sylvester, and of an even younger Jewelle Gomez, you'll want to stop by the Main Library's Jewett Gallery (lower level). The exhibition showcases an array of archival material that highlights activism, community and the ways we find to come together, visual representation of ourselves and by ourselves, and lesbian love within literary and publishing circles.

And, finally, if you'd like to know what we had on display 10 years ago, visit the Main Library's 6th floor bridge to rediscover the traveling panel exhibition "Out At The Library."

Don't miss your chance to see the exhibition. Plan to visit this week.