Sanma. 4

Author: Zhang Leping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Sanmao was a figure from a decade ago. Logically, she should have grown into a more distinguished person by now. However, I still draw Sanmao, and continue to draw the same old Sanmao. The reason is that I feel her living environment has remained unchanged over the past decade. Ten years ago, Sanmao picked up trash and slept on the streets. Ten years later, she shows no improvement. The only slight difference in her spirit is that the later Sanmao starts to imitate adults by selling goods on the streets, smoking American cigarettes, and shouting "Hello, Joe." Since Sanmao has so many problems, I feel that there will never be an end to drawing and writing about her.
"The Military Chronicle" was a fresh and engaging topic a decade ago, but after eight or nine years, it has become a monotonous old tune. It is natural that playing an old tune wouldn’t be pleasing to others. However, considering that over the past eight years, people of all ages, young and old, joined the war effort, it would be unreasonable for Sanmao not to participate. So, regardless of whether she qualified or not, I decided to have her sign up for the army. Out of impulse, there were bound to be flaws. For example, in terms of Sanmao’s age, joining the army was not entirely reasonable. If I exaggerated it too much, it would lack realism. If I said she had no courage, it would also undermine the essence of joining the military. Therefore, it was difficult to properly place Sanmao in the military camp. In the end, I had to portray her as a clown.
Over the years, what has always made me feel sad is that, whether intentionally or unintentionally, I have drawn an innocent Sanmao as a clown-like character. Although Sanmao has many problems, the responsibility does not lie with her. I draw Sanmao every day, and every day, I discover her stubborn flaws. Therefore, my hope for Sanmao’s living environment to improve is particularly strong.