MOCAD Opening Thursday Tom House: The Work and Life of Tom of Finland.

OPENING THURSDAY AT MOCAD   TOM House: The Work and Life of Tom of Finland Opening Reception: Thursday, April 19, 2018, 6-9PM Mike Kelley Mobile Homestead at Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit    Tom of Finland, Untitled (Portrait of Pekka), 1975 Courtesy Tom of Finland Foundation & David Kordansky Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Dear Friends, This Thursday, April 19th, marks the opening of TOM House: The Work and Life of Tom of Finland at Mike Kelley’s Mobile Homestead at MOCAD. The exhibition, as presented by The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts, and Graeme Flegenheimer (El Club Detroit) will be celebrated with a reception from 6-9PM. Visitors will see work by Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920-1991) and incorporate artists who supported and admired his work over the years, including Richard Hawkins, Robert Mapplethorpe, Raymond Pettibon, Jim Shaw, and John Waters, among others. The presentation will also include photographs, reference materials, and ephemera. Tom spent the last decade of his life between Finland and TOM House in Echo Park, Los Angeles, California. The exhibition will evoke the spirit of the home where Tom had his studio and lived during his final years. Tom spent his career challenging the boundaries of art and social engagement, be it through his craft or thematic pursuits. Placed in context with his contemporaries, the presented survey seeks to highlight the work of Queer artists across the globe and carry out the mission of protecting, preserving and promoting Queer art. Please note, this exhibition contains work for mature audiences. Adults must preview before entering with young audiences. For more information, including public programming related to the show, please visit www.mocadetroit.org. Press inquires, please contact Cultural Counsel: mocad@culturalcounsel.com. Hope you are able to visit the exhibition! Cultural Counsel