Forever Sanmao

Author: Feng Chuyin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: The Eternal Sanmao is a historical record, chronicling the life of the little Sanmao over more than 70 years, which is essentially a narrative of modern Chinese history over the same period. We are grateful to Ms. Feng Chuyin, the wife of Mr. Zhang Leping, for editing this illustrated book, leaving behind invaluable historical materials for future generations. The art of comics in China blossomed with the influx of Western culture. By the turbulent 1930s, it had grown into a lush canopy, reaching full maturity. Both the satirical essays of the literary world and the comics in the garden became fervent drumbeats of the era, complementing and competing with each other, captivating all attention. Leping was one of the rising stars among them. With the outbreak of the War of Resistance, Leping braved the flames of war, traversed the burning land of China, and used his art to serve the nation, his brush sweeping across the canvas with vigor. After the war's victory, civil war erupted again, and Leping devoted himself to depicting the story of the orphaned Sanmao. His brushwork revealed the struggles and hardships of his time, expressing his stern condemnation of darkness and injustice, which resonated deeply with readers. This was because in all wars and social disasters, women and children suffer the heaviest toll. Leping dedicated his life to his art, leaving countless strokes of critique and praise on the scroll of his nation's history, while also crafting his own loyal artist persona. Especially the creation of the character Sanmao almost consumed half his life. Sanmao is a composite portrait of children in modern and contemporary China, vividly depicting their innocence, joy and sorrow, extraordinary adventures, and the supernatural burdens of their lives. The fate of children is a measure of a society's civilization, and it also foretells the future fortune or misfortune of a nation. Leping's unwavering focus on children revealed his profound love for life. This made him a friend to generations of children, earning the deep respect and empathy of all who care about the cause of children. In the tranquil and solemn Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, statues of Leping and Sanmao stand tall. Though the master is far, his art endures, Sanmao lives forever, and Leping never dies!