Overview
Collection Information
Size: 23 Items
Summary: Newpaper articles (1944-1997), original drawings of illustrations for "Gourmet" magazine, photocopies of propaganda leaflets distributed by U.S. Intelligence in the Burma, China, India theatre during World War II, photographs of Ishii at work in his studio; and slides.
Biographical/Historical Note
Painter, animator, illustrator; Los Angeles, Calif. and New York, N.Y. Chris Ishii was born in 1919 in Carruthers, Calif. He attended Chouinard School of Art (now Cal Arts, Valencia, California) in Los Angeles and upon graduation worked for Walt Disney Studios until WWII. He was interned at Granada (Colorado) Concentration Camp and in 1943 joined the U.S. Army Intelligence service (1943-1946). During the war he participated in illustrating propaganda leaflets for the Burma, China, and India theatre. After the war, he returned to Los Angeles and worked for Disney Studios furnishing art and designs for "Fantasia." "The Reluctant Dragon," "Dumbo," and other short subjects. After leaving California for New York, he first worked for UPN and later as an independent animator. In 1951 he traveled to Paris on the GI Bill to study at the Académie Julian with Fernand Léger. He designed and directed countless commercials, industrial, educational, live-action and feature films. His designing credits include James Thurber's "A Unicorn in the Garden," Ludwig Bemelmans' "Madeline," and Academy Award winning "Gerald McBoing Boing." He also designed and directed several "Mr. McGoo" short subjects. One of his animations appeared in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" (the Snow White sequence). He died in Westchester County, NY, on November 6, 2001.
Provenance
Donated 2001 by Chris K. Ishii and his daughter, Naka Ishii. Additions are expected.
Language Note
English .
