ABSTRACT
Sigrun Bulow-Hube: Scandinavian Modernism
in Canada
Margaret Hodges
1996
Sigrun Bulow-Hube (1913-1994) was an architect
and industrial designer who came to Canada from Sweden in 1950. In 1953, she formed the
AKA Furniture Company which specialized in the design and construction of Scandinavian
Modern furniture. This thesis 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. 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, research reveals that Bulow-Hube was usually characterized
as a 'decorator' or 'taste maker' as opposed to an 'artist.' Designing within patriarchy,
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.
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