Exhibitions

Selwyn Pullan
Positioning the New

June 3 to July 19, 2009

Organized and circulated by the West Vancouver Museum
Opening Reception: Tuesday June 2, 2009 at 7:00pm

The Charles H. Scott Gallery is pleased to present, Positioning the New, a comprehensive survey of the work of Canadian photographer Selwyn Pullan. In a career spanning over fifty years, Pullan played a critical role in advancing West Coast modern architecture. He documented residences and institutional projects for British Columbia’s leading architects in an intense and innovative period in the three decades following World War Two.

Pullan studied photography at the Los Angeles Art Centre (now the Art Center College of Design), graduating in 1950. Architectural photography, then a relatively new profession, had emerged in parallel to modernism and the advances in architecture in North America during the late 1930’s, and Pullan found his niche in this genre. Pullan’s photographs promoted the new style to a populace eager to embrace a modern way of living. His images were frequently included in photo essays in major design and architectural periodicals.

Pullan was sought out specifically for his inventive compositions and ability to contextualize new buildings. Pullan documented the work of architects such as Ron Thom, Fred Hollingsworth, Arthur Erickson and Barry Downs, among numerous others. Although primarily known for his architectural photography, Pullan also produced a significant body of work depicting Vancouver’s urban landscape, portraiture industry, fashion and design.

Selwyn Pullan, Frederic Wood Theatre, Vancouver, 1963
(Thompson, Berwick & Pratt Architects, Roy Jessiman partner-in-charge, Barry Downs project designer, 1963).

Selwyn Pullan, Porter Residence, West Vancouver, 1955 
(John C. Porter Architect, 1948).

Selwyn Pullan, Gardner House, Vancouver, 1960 
(Kenneth H. Gardner Architect, 1956-1958).