American Masters Season 31 Episode 8 Tyrus Wong

Tyrus Wong is the subject in American Masters Season 31 Episode 8. Wong was an artist who brought to life the animated Disney classic movie, Bambi. The episode follows his journey from leaving China as a child and growing up in Sacramento, California, to attending the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles during the Great Depression. Wong was part of a small group of Chinese American artists who allowed the voice of Asian Americans to be heard in the larger American culture.

The episode captures the various moments of Wong's experiences as he worked as a Hallmark greeting card designer, a Warner Bros. animator, and eventually as a film production illustrator for Disney Studios. His illustrations skyrocketed, especially those of Bambi, earning him worldwide recognition. The episode highlights the challenges he faced being Asian American in the early days of the film industry. Despite being a prolific artist, Wong faced many institutional barriers and racism. Nonetheless, his work shone through, and he managed to make meaningful contributions to American animation history.

Tyrus Wong's contributions to the film industry go beyond Bambi. In the 1950s, together with his wife, he opened up the Dragon's Den restaurant in LA's Chinatown district, becoming an influential part of the West Coast's early arts culture. The episode also follows him into the 21st century, where he was the subject of a large-scale retrospective art exhibit at the Museum of Chinese in America in New York City; the exhibition spanned 80 years of Tyrus Wong's work.

The episode features interviews from artists, animators, historians, and Wong's family members. The interviewees include his daughter, filmmaker Pamela Tom, who previously directed a documentary on Wong's life. Notable animation artists like Andreas Deja, Glen Keane, and Paul Felix offered insight into Wong's extensive work as an illustrator in the film industry.

American Masters Season 31 Episode 9 scores excellently for its ability to draw viewers into the rich, cultural history of Tyrus Wong's life. It explores the challenges of immigration, racism, and identity politics in the earliest days of the American art scene. Through this introspection of Wong's life, the episode unravels the poignant story of his contribution to American popular culture. Fast-paced and intriguing, the episode successfully communicates the decisions and odds that shaped the work and the legacy of a pioneering artist of the 20th century.