LDG & ONYX NW present: House of Leather
This month’s program is a collaboration between Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF), San Francisco Leathermen’s Discussion Group (SFLDG), and the KTF Films Production Team.
The event will feature an exclusive screening of select scenes from feature-length documentary House of Leather and short documentary boys.
Providing an introduction for the two documentaries, the discussion will highlight the importance of supporting emerging LGBTQ artists and how the enduring legacy of Tom of Finland Artist in Residency (TOFF AiR) Program offers to diverse young generations of artists internationally an opportunity to nurture their craft and explore their creative freedom of expression.
The panel will feature filmmaker Jamison Rockmore, multidisciplinary artists and filmmaker Donald C. Shorter Jr., current ToFF Artist in Resident Michael Espinoza, and ToFF Board of Directors Graylin Thornton (San Francisco) and Ayité Okyne (Los Angeles). The group will discuss the ToFF AiR program, its impacts, and offer attendees the opportunity to support ToFF AiR.
House of Leather - Director: Jamison Rockmore / Producer: Nicolas Blanco / Producer: Don Hardy / Producer: Justin Levy
Currently in post-production, the film explores Tom of Finland’s counterculture legacy through the eyes of three international artists visiting in 2022 for residencies at TOM House. Created by former TOM House resident, AFI graduate Jamison Rockmore, the narrative follows a new generation of artists as they live and work at TOM House, drawing firsthand inspiration from Tom's legacy and growing their individual/unique art practices.
Set at the bohemian commune where famed erotic artist Tom of Finland lived and worked, House of Leather follows two queer artists from Asia and a Trans artist from Michigan, visiting for summer residencies. As these young heroes explore their creative identities in the context of gay history, the multi-generational community rallies to protect their safe place, advancing Tom’s legacy of freedom in a modern era.
boys is a short documentary that features leather boys giving personal accounts of how this form of identity has led to a spiritual awakening and radical self-acceptance.
Featuring: boy Cole / boy Donald / boy Mikey / boy Nick / DARKQWOLF / LTHR PIPE DADDY / Ty David Lerman. Producer/Director/Cinematographer/Editor: Donald C. Shorter Jr.