Archives of American Art

Chris K. Ishii papers

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.ishichri
Creators:
Ishii, Chris K., 1919-2001
Dates:
[ca. 1940] - 1999
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
23 Items
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
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

Biographical / Historical
Los Angeles, California, and New York painter, animator, and illustrator Chris Ishii (1919-2001) attended the Chouinard School of Art (now Cal Arts) in Los Angeles and upon graduation worked for Walt Disney Studios. Prior to World War II he furnished art and designs for FantasiaThe Reluctant Dragon and Dumbo.
Ishii was interned at Granada (Colorado) Concentration Camp and in 1943 joined the U.S. Army Intelligence Service (1943-1946). During the war he illustrated propaganda leaflets for the Burma, China, and India theatre. After leaving California for New York worked for United Productions of America (UPA) before becoming 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, and industrial, educational, live-action, and feature films.
Ishii also worked on James Thurber's A Unicorn in the Garden, Ludwig Bemelman's Madeline and Academy Award winning Gerald McBoing Boing, and on several Mr. Magoo short subjects. One of his animations, the Snow White sequence, appeared in Woody Allen's Annie Hall.
Ishii died in Westchester County, New York, on November 6, 2001.

Administration

Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated 2001 by Chris K. Ishii and his daughter, Naka Ishii. Additions are expected.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.

More Information

Other Finding Aids

Other Finding Aids
Folder inventory available at Archives of American Art's D.C. office.


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Animators Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Illustrators -- United States Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painters -- United States Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
World War, 1939-1945 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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