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| Preface
by the Artist |
Many books on my work have been published. It wasn't until I had
to sort them out that I realized that the number of sarcastic paintings
produced after 1978(the beginning of the enforcement of the policy
of reform and opening to the outside world) is astonishing. Indeed,
this period turns out to be the most prolific in my artistic career.
It is also true of many of my colleagues. The primary factor contributing
to the flowering cartoonist scene is the favorable climate for the
growth of cartoon. When democracy is extolled, cartoon creation
flourishes, whereas when tyranny and autocracy prevail, the artistic
scene turns bleak. It is evident in the fact that when the Gang
of the Four took the rein, not a single cartoon work could be spotted
in newspapers. In sharp contrast, the period after their collapse
witnesses the mushrooming of cartoon works both in scale and in
quality. It is not surprising that I turned out an unprecedented
volume of works, since in an autocracy, freedom of criticism, regarded
by the authority as extremely dangerous, is curbed, while in a society
where democracy is highly valued, people are encouraged to speak
their mind and serve as critics of evils.
The cartoon (not including humorous painting) is uniquely forceful
in this aspect. Its strength lies in revealing and criticizing evils
of all sorts. Before the Liberation, I employed it as a weapon to
disclose the dark side of the reign of Nationalist Party: how they
exploited and oppressed the people and how they betrayed national
interest and dignity. Despite the establishment of the New China,
the residues of backward customs and thoughts still had considerable
influence on society. The critical edge of cartoons remained to
be sharpened. However, my production of cartoons was barren due
to my executive engagement after the Liberation. From 1956 to 1978,
my life was disastrously affected by the continuous wave of political
movements, my artistic creation came to a standstill. It was only
after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of
the CCP that my life and art revived. The passion for compensating
for what had been denied to me during the past 20 years was burning.
Though I was over sixty then, I worked all day and all night like
a lad. I felt that I was living a full and meaningful life.
People might attribute my embryonic interest to the influence of
my father Ding Song, a renowned cartoonist in 1920s and 1930s. But,
actually he discouraged my decision to become a cartoonist. According
to him, it was not a decent and well-paid job. However, due to my
deep love for the cartoon, as a high school student, I decidedly
began a lifelong journey of cartoon creation.
Due to chaos and wars, there are not many works kept intact. However,
the limited store of those pictures may offer a glimpse of the imprint
of time. It betrays the vicissitudes of society as well as the fall
and rise of the individual.It is my sincere hope that it can serve
as something like a historical record to entertain and illuminate
my dear reader. |
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