Sanmao. Episode 3

Author: Zhang Leping, Chen Lei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Sanmao was a figure from a decade ago. Logically, she should have grown into a more impressive person by now. However, I still draw Sanmao, and I still draw the old Sanmao. The reason is that I feel Sanmao's living environment has remained unchanged over the decade. Ten years ago, Sanmao picked up trash and slept on the streets. Ten years later, Sanmao shows no improvement. The only slight difference in her spirit is that the later Sanmao starts acting like an adult, hawking goods on the streets, smoking American cigarettes, and shouting "Hello, Joe." Since Sanmao has so many problems, I feel she will never run out of stories to tell.
"The Military Chronicle" was a fresh and engaging topic a few decades ago, but after a few decades, it has become a monotonous old tune. It's natural that playing an old tune wouldn't please people. However, considering that everyone, young and old, joined the war over the past eight years, 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, many flaws emerged. For example, from Sanmao's age, it wasn't entirely reasonable for her to join the war. 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 army. Therefore, it was difficult to properly place Sanmao in the military camp. Out of necessity, 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've drawn an unadulterated Sanmao as a clown-like character. Although Sanmao has many problems, the responsibility doesn't 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.