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Last of the Golden Age animators dies
The last of the great artists from Walt Disney’s golden age of animation has died at the age of 95.
Ollie Johnston was the only surviving member of an elite group of Disney animators known as, ‘Nine Old Men’.
Films that he created on screen included, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio and Peter Pan.
Walt Disney’s nephew, Roy Disney spoke of Ollie as, “part of an amazing generation of artists, one of the real pioneers of our art.”
Johnston was studying at the Los Angeles’ Chouinard Art Institute when he was approached by the then-fledgling Disney studio in 1935 to work on animated short films including, Mickey’s Garden, Pluto’s Judgement and Mickey’s Rival.
His first feature film was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, he followed this with classic Disney animated films such as Fantasia, Cinderella, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty and The Jungle Book.
One of the most famous scenes he worked on included the heartbreaking death of Bambi’s mother at the hands of a hunter.
In 1989 he received a Disney Legends Award and in 2003 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held a tribute to him.
Mr Johnston, who died in Washington state, is survived by his sons, Ken and Rick.
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Chocolate Art Work
Food artist Emma Staite has just finished a new set of paintings with the aid of chocolate sweets.
Reproductions of famous artworks made from sugary delights have gone on display at a museum in east London.
Staite used Smarties to reproduce pieces like Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe and Bathers at Asnieres by George Seurat.
Banksy’s Clean Streets Maid is also part of the collection at the Smartie Art Exhibition in the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.
The exhibition is being held to mark the return of Nestle’s blue Smarties.
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Dylan Honoured at Awards
Bob Dylan is known for his dynamic and unique music style, and what better way to be honoured, but with a Pulitzer Prize.
At the 92nd Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism, Letters, Drama and Music, Bob Dylan became the first rock’n’roll star to win an award.
The announcement of the awards were made at Columbia University in New York. Dylan’s award was for his, “profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power”.
Previously the musical award has gone to classical or jazz artists, but it seems that Dylan has proven to the board of voters that his 40 year career deserves an award.
This award will join his others including 10 Grammys, a Golden Globe, a Rock’n’Roll Hall of fame plaque and an Oscar.
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Star Wars Actor Admitted to Hospital
Star Wars actor, Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in the space adventure films, has been admitted to hospital following problems with his asthma.
The 73 year old was taken ill during a trip to the US after attending a film convention in Chicago.
His son told the Lancashire Evening Post newspaper that his father had suffered from asthma for a long time and that it was “nothing serious”.
He said his father would need to “slow down” his pace of life now. “He just loves going to these conventions and meeting his fans.” Kevin added. “He gets on so well with the other guys from Star Wars and hates turning down any opportunity to appear.”
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Stolen Art Shown In Exhibition
A collection of paintings worth more than £500,000 are to be put on show, 10 years after there was an attempt to steal them.
The works by 19th Century artist David Roberts were left to The Art Fund Charity in 1998, by owner Helen Guiterman.
In 2006, her cousin’s grandson, Shaun Gray was sentenced to three years in jail for forging her will.
Investigations into why the works of art were not handed over when Ms Guiterman died began.
Gray claimed he was the executor of her will, and told the Art Fund that she had changed her mind about donating the art to the fund.
He was jailed when he pleaded guilty to charges of false accounting and forgery.
The Art Fund recovered the art, which is set to go on show next year at the National Galleries of Scotland.
Drawings from the exhibition include work by Picasso.
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