Disney Legend Tyrus Wong has passed away, known for his beautiful work on “Bambi”
The year 2016 has claimed a lot of talented lives, and sadly, the count keeps growing. On December 30, Chinese artist Tyrus Wong died at the age of 106.
He was best known for his illustrations that served as concept art for Disney’s animated movie Bambi. In his lifetime, he also worked on films such as Rebel Without a Cause, The Green Berets, and The Wild Bunch.
Tyrus’s death was announced on the Facebook page of his biographical documentary film, Tyrus.
"With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Tyrus Wong," the Facebook post reads. "Tyrus died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving daughters Kim, Kay and Tai-Ling. He was 106 years old."
Tyrus moved from China to Sacramento with his father when he was only nine years old. He attended art college on scholarship, where he was trained in Western art forms. At home, Tyrus’s dad schooled him in traditional Chinese artwork. As a result, Tyrus’s creations blend East and Western styles in a totally unique way.
More images of Tyrus Wong's pastels, that inspired the look of BAMBI. (Mr Wong has passed away at age 106!) pic.twitter.com/efff2FZqTT
— Rhett (@dialmformovies) December 31, 2016
The alluring atmosphere and sentiment in Tyrus Wong's pastels for Bambi have been a great source of inspiration for me #RIP #tyruswong pic.twitter.com/iZBd5MGSzx
— Claire Keane (@claireonacloud) December 31, 2016
Tyrus went on to work a low-level artist job for Walt Disney Studios, where one of his illustrations of a deer in a forest was lauded by Walt Disney himself. This image set the scene for the rest of the artwork in the 1942 animated film.
“Before Bambi, Disney came out with Snow White, and in that film the forest is vividly illustrated, details were meticulously outlined, Museum of Chinese in America curator Herb Tam told the New York Observer. “Bambi was totally different. Tyrus emphasized mood through light, colors, and gestures—he wanted you to smell the forest from his illustrations.
We know whenever we watch Bambi, we’ll think of Tyrus and his boundary-pushing art skills.
