Born in Vancouver, Canada in 1960, Douglas studied at Emily Carr College of Art and Design, graduating in 1982, and emerged within the influential 1980s Vancouver art scene. From the beginning of his career, he questioned the conventions of photography, film and television, creating works that explored how technology shapes perception. His practice expanded from early projected-image installations into ambitious film productions, photographic series, theatrical works and digital projects.
Through his work, Douglas often reconstructs moments of social and political transformation, combining archive sources, historical events and fictionalised narratives. Addressing themes of race, class, migration and cultural identity, his practice reveals how cinema and photography shape public consciousness. As one of the early artists to be represented by David Zwirner, Douglas had his first American solo exhibition with the gallery in 1993. Major projects such as Der Sandmann (1995), Le Detroit (1999/2000), Luanda-Kinshasa (2013) and Penn Station’s Half Century (2021) demonstrate his ongoing exploration of how history, memory and image-making intersect.
Douglas represented Canada at the 2022 Venice Biennale with his video work ISDN, and he has exhibited internationally at institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada, De Pont Museum and Musée d’Art Contemporain. His work is held in prominent public collections, and his achievements have been recognised through awards including the Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography in 2016 and the Audain Prize for Visual Art in 2019.
Stan Douglas (CANADIAN, B. 1960)
Abbott & Cordova 1971
Stan Douglas (B. 1960)
Pursuit, Fear, Catastrophe: Ruskin, B.C., 1993
STAN DOUGLAS (B. 1960)
A Luta Continua, 1974
STAN DOUGLAS (B. 1960)
Every Building on 100 West Hastings, 2001
Stan Douglas (b. 1960)
Jewitt Lake; Fish Trap at Valdes Bay; Man on horse near Matchlee Bay, from the Nootka sound series
Stan Douglas (b. 1960)
Gold River Mill from the Nootka sound series
Stan Douglas (b. 1960)
Tahsis Mill, from the Nootka sound series
Stan Douglas (b. 1960)
(i) Hummingbird / Cormorant at Hanna Channel (Nootka Sound Series) (ii) View of Kleeptee Settlement from Clearcut (Nootka Sound Series)
STAN DOUGLAS (B. 1960)
Pilar Building, 2004
STAN DOUGLAS (B. 1960)
Proyección isométrica, Habana Vieja, 2004/ 09