I have had the extraordinary privilege of being an Artist in Residence at Tom House twice, and I can honestly say that those experiences changed my life.
What I found there was much more than a place to work. Through the residency, I was welcomed into the queer community of Los Angeles in a way I could never have experienced as a visitor. People opened their homes, their hearts to me and i made new friends. There was an incredible level of trust simply because I was a resident of the Foundation.
I met extraordinary people, artists and friends who became part of my life and my work. I experienced Los Angeles from within a community rather than from the outside.
And Tom House itself became my home.
Durk and Sharp, as well as the other residents, and the friends who came through the house became my family. There was something very special about being able to simply exist there — to work, talk, eat, laugh, meet people, make art and feel completely accepted.
I strongly believe the Tom House and the Foundation must remain together. They are not two separate things. The Foundation gave the house its community, and the House gave that community a home. One without the other changes what Tom House has meant to so many of us.
Most importantly, Durk and Sharp deserve the respect and recognition they have earned for building and sustaining this community and for continuing Tom's legacy. Their place in this history should not be forgotten or separated from the story of Tom House and Foundation.
For me, this is ultimately about keeping our family together. I will always be grateful that I was welcomed into it.
Let’s fight together to make sure that the House and the Foundation remain forever intertwined, continuing to inspire and welcome future artists, so they too can have the honour of experiencing the same sense of belonging, trust and freedom that we have found in our Tom family.
With love,
Konstantinos Menelaou
ATHENS
Greece