Milton & Tyrus

Milton Quon's 100th Birthday celebration. Milton (left) and Tyrus
Milton Quon’s 100th Birthday celebration.
Milton (left) and Tyrus © Shervin Shahbazi 2013

Milton Quon and Tyrus Wong are two living legends. This photo was taken at Milton’s 100th birthday celebration on August 24, 2013. Tyrus is 102. They are both artists and have been practicing their art for over 80 years. They are both well loved in their communities and have been influential in their respective field. Generations of people around the world are familiar with Disney’s Fantasia and Bambi, but they wouldn’t find Milton or Tyrus’s names in the credits. Fortunately, within the past few years and due to the efforts of a handful of arts professionals, art exhibitions and documentaries have shed light on the significance of these two great artists. Milton Quon’s work was recently part of a major Exhibition ‘Round the Clock: Chinese American Artists Working in Los Angeles  along with Tyrus and three other Artists and curated by Sonia Mak. Tyrus Wong  is the subject of a new exhibition, Water to Paper, Paint to Sky: The Art of Tyrus Wong in San Francisco organized by Michael Labrie.