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Bullock, (Wynn) papers
MS.010  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biography
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Related Collections

  • Contributing Institution: University of California, Santa Cruz
    Title: Wynn Bullock papers
    source: Bullock, Wynn
    Creator: Bullock, Wynn
    source: Bullock, Edna
    Identifier/Call Number: MS.010
    Physical Description: 61 Linear Feet 8 boxes, 47 framed items
    Date (inclusive): 1929-1972
    Date (bulk): 1940-1972
    Abstract: This collection includes some biographical material including a small amount of correspondence, writings, teaching materials, clippings and printed appearences. Also included is a selection of gelatin silver photographs and a color photograph.
    Physical Location: Stored in Special Collections & Archives: Advance notice is required for access.
    Language of Material: English

    Access

    Collection open for research.

    Publication Rights

    Copyright for the photographs in this collection is owned by the Bullock-Wilson Photography Trust (www.wynnbullockphotography.com). Reproduction or distribution of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the user to determine whether a use is fair use, and to obtain any necessary permissions. For more information see UCSC Special Collections and Archives policy on Reproduction and Use.

    Preferred Citation

    Wynn Bullock papers. MS 10. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.

    Biography

    Wynn Bullock (April 18, 1902-November 16, 1975) was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Pasadena, California. As a boy, his passions were singing and athletics. After high school graduation he moved to New York to pursue a musical career and was hired as a chorus member in Irving Berlin's Music Box Review. During the mid-1920's he traveled to Europe, studying voice and giving concerts in France, Germany, and Italy.
    In Paris, he discovered the work of Man Ray and Lazlo Moholy-Nagy. He realized photography as an art form could be a vehicle through which he could engage with the world. He moved back to Southern California and became a student of photography at Art Center School.
    From 1938 to 1940, Wynn became involved in exploring alternative processes such as solarization and bas relief. After graduation from Art Center, his experimental work was exhibited in a solo exhibition at the L.A. County Museum. He worked as a commercial photographer and enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was employed by Lockheed, and Connors-Joyce until the end of the war.
    In 1945-1946, Wynn traveled throughout California with his family producing and selling postcard pictures. He worked developing a way to control the line effect of solarization for which he was awarded two patents. He settled in Monterey where he obtained a photographic concession at Ford Ord military base until 1959.
    A major turning point in Wynn's life as a creative photographer occurred in 1948 when he met Edward Weston. In the mid-1950's, Edward Steichen chose two of Bullock's photographs to include in the 1955 "Family of Man" exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art.
    During the early 1960's, Wynn produced his "Color Light Abstractions". These photographs represented an in-depth exploration of light, manifesting a belief that light is, "perhaps the most profound force in the universe."
    Throughout his career, Wynn was an active learner, workshop leader, and teacher. His work is found in over 90 major institutions world-wide, and he is one of five artists whose archives established the University of Arizona's Center for Creative Photography.
    In the mid 1960's until his death, he returned to black and white alternative processes. Wynn noted, "Searching is everything - going beyond what you know. And the test of the search is really in the things themselves, the things you seek to understand. What is important is not what you think about them, but how they enlarge you."
    [Biography excerpted from The Bullock-Wilson Trust Photography Archive]

    Scope and Content of Collection

    This collection includes some biographical material including a small amount of correspondence, writings, teaching materials, clippings & printed appearences. Also included is a selection of gelatin silver photographs and a color photograph.

    Related Collections

    MS 325 Edna Bullock Photographs

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Photography, Artistic
    Bullock, Wynn
    Bullock, Edna