Sigrun Bulow-Hube: Scandinavian Modernism in Canada

Sigrun Bulow-Hube (1913-1994) was an architect and industrial designer who came to Montreal from Sweden in 1950. In 1953, she formed the AKA Furniture Company on Sherbrooke Street, which specialized in the design and construction of Scandinavian Modern furniture. The author focuses on Bulow-Hube's furniture design of the 1950's and 1960's, and on her reception during those years in the Canadian cultural and popular presses. The author argues that Bulow-Hube arrived at an ideal time to capitalize on the developing Canadian market for Scandinavian design. Canada was influenced by furniture styles from the United States, and, by the late 1940's, Scandinavian Modernism was among the most popular styles in America. Although Bulow-Hube was acknowledged in the media as one of the best designers working in Canada at the time, the author's research reveals that Bulow-Hube was usually characterized as a 'decorator' or 'taste maker' as opposed to an 'artist.' The author points out that Bulow-Hube represented two ideas: first, she qualified as an 'authentic' Swedish designer, a rarity within a society which craved an international identity but could claim few career designers. Second, she represented the woman's point of view at a time when women were expected to take the primary role in the management of the domestic sphere.

Master's Thesis

Concordia University

Montreal

1996

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