Bambi (visual development), 1942.
Pamela Tom’s documentaryTyrusexplores Wong’s life and career in the context of his times.
Tyrus Wong and Pamela Tom.
“Bambi” (visual development), 1942. Watercolor on paper.
Tom strongly believes that racism was a factor.
When Wong began working at Disney in the 1930s, the Chinese Exclusion Act was still in effect.
In the 20s and 30s in Chinese-American communities, what could you hope to achieve?
Tyrus Wong and Pamela Tom. (Photo: Ildiko Lazslo)
You could become a laundromat, a houseboy or work in a restaurant.
To be an artist was not a remote possibility.
Yet, Wong persevered.
“Bambi” (visual development), 1942. Watercolor on paper.
Tyrusdebuts on PBS September 8, 2017, as part of their American Masters series.
Bambi (visual development), 1942.
Pamela Tom’s documentaryTyrusexplores his important contributions to American culture.
“Bambi” (visual development), 1942. Watercolor on paper
Self Portrait (late 1920s)
Reclining Nude c. 1936.
Pre-production illustration, possibly from the Warner Bros. film “Gypsy”
Photo: Irene Poon Andersen
“Self Portrait” (late 1920s)
“Reclining Nude” c. 1936. Oil on canvas
Photo: Irene Poon Andersen
