Here’s a fascinating short documentary interview about artist Tyrus Wong’s experience at the Angel Island Immigration Station at the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act. It’s an interesting first hand account of what is was like on the island from the long waits to the interrogation. The 100 year-old retired artist shares his journey to the United States to discover the truths about “Gold Mountain”. At a young age Tyrus learned to paint and draw, when he arrived to America he studied hard to build a career out of something he loved to do. Eventually, he became the lead artist for Disney’s Bambi and an additional 26 years at Warner Bros. Currently, Tyrus is retired, but continues his passion by creating cards and flying homemade kites out on Santa Monica Beach.

Angel Island Profile: Tyrus Wong