Tyrus Wong

Tyrus Wong, born on October twenty-fifth, nineteen ten, was a remarkable Chinese-born American artist whose influence spanned multiple disciplines. Renowned as a painter, animator, calligrapher, muralist, ceramicist, lithographer, and kite maker, Wong's artistic journey was as diverse as it was impactful. He made significant contributions to the film industry, serving as a production illustrator for major studios like Disney and Warner Bros.

One of Wong's most notable achievements was his role as the lead production illustrator for Disney's iconic nineteen forty-two film, Bambi. Drawing inspiration from the elegance of Song dynasty art, his work helped shape the visual narrative of the film, leaving a lasting legacy in animation. Beyond Bambi, Wong's artistic talents were showcased in various films, where he worked as a set designer and storyboard artist on classics such as Rebel Without a Cause, Around the World in Eighty Days, and The Wild Bunch.

In addition to his film work, Wong was a muralist for the Works Progress Administration and created greeting cards for Hallmark Cards. After retiring from the film industry in the late nineteen sixties, he dedicated himself to designing kites and continued to paint, sketch, and create ceramics well into his nineties. His passion for art never waned, and he remained an active creator throughout his life.

Wong's extraordinary life and career were celebrated in the twenty fifteen documentary film, Tyrus, directed by Pamela Tom. He passed away on December thirtieth, two thousand sixteen, at the remarkable age of one hundred six, leaving behind a rich legacy as one of the most influential Asian-American artists of the twentieth century.