The legendary Tom of Finland set the bar for homo-erotic fetish art, and now, Ben, a privileged artist who spent months immersed in the Tom of Finland House, is expanding that legacy. He’s back from sunny California, bringing a fresh, vibrant vision to the kink canvas. Get ready to dive into his world where art, leather, and raw sexuality collide.
MasterMarc: Hi Ben, it’s a pleasure to have you with us! You’re back in cold and foggy London. Are you aching for that sunny California heat right about now?
Ben: I’m actually in cold and foggy Liverpool, which is probably colder and more foggy than London!! I certainly am missing the California sunshine. Whilst I was at the Tom House, I had a studio in the garden with passion fruits and orange trees around it, which is a slight contrast to the north of England, I can tell you! The climate, along with the attractive leather men is a great attraction of L.A. and naturally the Tom House.
The Leather Landscape: US vs. Europe
MasterMarc: You’ve tasted both worlds. What are the hot, pulsing differences between the leather subcultures of Europe and America? Is it just the guys, or did you feel a deeper vibe shift?
Ben: I think there are differences. I mean, the leather scene is changing both in Europe and The States. In my experience, the European scene is more cruisey, and in the states they seem to love a pageant.
There seemed to be a competition based around leather or fetish on an almost weekly basis in L.A. The good thing about that was that all members of the community seemed to be represented. There was a great sense of community at the Tom House. I had the opportunity to meet and engage with a wide variety of leather men, which was unique and incredible. Don’t make me pick whether European or American men are sexier! That is too hard!
MasterMarc: You’re right, the fetish scene is definitely morphing. In Tom of Finland’s era, leather fetishists were the reigning kings, the gods of kink. That seems to have broadened now, showing so many more faces of desire. How do you see these delicious shifts unfolding?
Ben: I think that is absolutely right. I think there is always going to be elitism within any community, but fortunately this is not the case in a majority of kink places. It sounds cliché, but more often than not there is a sense of brotherhood and family within the leather community. It can be a support network in addition to the sexual nature of it.
The community is multi-layered, like Tom’s work. What draws you in initially is the erotic nature of it, but over time you realise there is a liberating message of freedom and celebration of sexuality that I believe has an universal appeal.
Immersed in Erotic Inspiration: Days at the Tom House
MasterMarc: For three months, you had the ultimate privilege: bathing in the very spirit of Tom of Finland, living in a house steeped in over 2,500 homo-erotic art pieces. What did your days look like, and what kind of raw, carnal inspiration did you pull from that sacred space?
Ben: The three months went by so quickly, and that is exactly what I tried to do, “Absorb the spirit.” The first two weeks I was there I spent every day going through the archive of artwork and books and magazines. I had complete access to all of it, and was able to look at anything, including collage and preliminary work that Tom had done himself. I would wake early and literally spend all day reading and looking. It was a real privilege to do this and was a great way to sow the seeds of inspiration.
I was also meeting other leather men at the house, which was in itself inspiring. You could sit on the front porch and never move, and a stream of people would arrive for you to talk to on any given day. The thrill was you never knew who might turn up and what opportunity would arise. I began by photographing the people I met and this became the beginning of the background collage for my finished pieces. The Tom House is inherently inspiring. There is a magical sense of mischief around every corner. It is a very special place indeed.
Beyond the Ideal: My Art, My Kink
MasterMarc: Oh yes, let’s get into your art, Ben. Your pieces are so diverse, truly giving us a peek into countless kinks. We love that you don’t just stick to the iconic muscle males like Tom of Finland did—you’re opening a window to the fetish world as it truly exists, not just some perfect porn fantasy. How would you describe the raw essence of your artwork?
Ben: That’s absolutely right. Tom showed a fantasy vision of masculinity, a vision of the male form that was idealized and incredibly beautiful as well as arousing. I like to work with a wide variety of models who are different shapes, sizes, colours and ages, as male beauty and sexuality in all its forms is something I believe should be celebrated. For me the sexiness of my subjects lies in their confidence.
We can ALL be Toms men, regardless of what we look like. Most of us don’t have “Perfect” bodies and it really doesn’t matter.
MasterMarc: You’re absolutely spot on… kink is all about embracing your true self, not some idealized fantasy. But often, it’s a hell of a lot of work to truly own who you are and what you feel. Speaking of hard work, your art pieces look incredibly labor-intensive. What delicious techniques do you use, and how long does it take until a new masterpiece is born?
Ben: Oh absolutely! If kink is about anything, it is being honest with yourself and what you are into. It can be hard to accept yourself though. But within the kink community it is possible to celebrate and eroticize all body types. Which can only be a good thing.
They are quite time consuming, that is true. I begin by photographing the model, printing the images and then making a layered collage. I then paint on the main image over that so some of the images are still visible. I then apply the embellishments (which takes the longest.) A piece that is three feet by 4 feet would take me around 2 weeks. Some of the larger pieces may take up to a month.
Where to Get Your Fix: Art, Projects, and Pleasure
MasterMarc: Can you tease us with a glimpse into your upcoming projects and where our readers can get their hands on your delectable artwork? Artists need their bread and bed, after all!
Ben: Hahaha. How right you are! You can currently see my work in the Exhibition “FILTH”, which is at The Gallery in Liverpool or alternatively on my website. For sales contact me through social media or email. I can’t tell you about any upcoming projects just yet, but there are a couple of exciting new things that will hopefully come to fruition next year.
MasterMarc: Ben, it was an absolute pleasure to dive into your world. It’s fantastic to feature your art here, and we truly hope that many kinksters and friends will make their pilgrimage to The Gallery in Liverpool to immerse themselves in your stunning exposition.
Ben has given us a tantalizing look into his world, blurring the lines between art, identity, and raw desire. What aspects of his journey or his art resonated most with you? Has his vision of inclusive fetish beauty sparked new thoughts about your own kinky expression? Share your comments below!
