Kake Lives On: Tom of Finland’s Enduring Influence

Lifelike, stylized drawings depicting men joyously engaging in hedonistic scenes that simply cannot be unseen. Tom of Finland, the artist, created a genre of kink-forward, queer-centric, graphic art that sparked a movement and changed the world forever.

A long-time world icon, Tom of Finland has infiltrated every corner of the civilized world and created a hysteria that refuses to subside after more than 5 decades. Lauded by F Valentine Hooven as The gay world’s most familiar pin-up icon. Often mustached, wearing leather gear, military-centered uniforms and more often than not - Tall Leather Boots. The body, look and spirit of Tom have inspired generations of artists, musicians and queer men. This influence took root in leather biker gangs, spawned leather and fetish groups, birthed leather bars, electrified bathhouses and appeared on stage. His most popular recurring character in his works, Kake, personifies the mischievous masculine, a genuine sense of playfulness and joy…and, of course, plenty of explicit sexual adventures with the most crushable cast of characters.

Tom of Finland was a product of post-WWII’s tight social norms and an artist’s eager appetite to portray modern, queer men in a more provocative and tantalizing spotlight. His style developed over time and the Tom of Finland we know today came to life. Initially publishing teaser material in health and fitness magazines, mail-order distribution began to grow. Drawings developed into graphic storylines that needed no words, the images spoke for themselves. Men of all colors, walks of life and sexual proclivity witnessed proud, sexual versions of themselves in this body of work and the rest is queer history.

Over the decades the appearances of Tom’s men evolved. Moving from rugged to refined, men of all colors and walks of life appeared in Tom Style. The military beginnings broadened to include additional types of men and gear. Cowboys in western gear, the modern man of the 70s in jeans and Tees, swimwear and just about anything you can imagine. Tom has modernized with the times and exquisite, tribute art has brought him with us into the modern era.

Tom’s notoriety spread through larger publishing and distribution, but the real impact was cultural—on an international scale. Queer visibility, community and culture embraced Tom of Finland as a figurehead in a reclamation queer identity as powerful, sexual, seductive and appealing. The knowing glances, smiles and ecstasy portrayed in these works of art gave men an opportunity to rewrite their own stories, find (self)acceptance and stake their claim on authentic expression in a whole new way.

Over the decades Tom’s art has been republished, resurrected and infinitely repurposed. Postage stamps, clothing, and every imaginable media has been imprinted with his unmistakable images. Even after all these years, Tom’s delight, authenticity and life-like swagger emanates from every corner of the catalog, encouraging you to follow your bliss.


Carpe Diem,

XXXO

Tom Forever