Lazy Man in China
Lazy Man laid back in model workers' village, 1984 This sign is adapted from the patriotic finger-pointing Uncle Sam poster, 'I want you!' and represents the new China. A model worker in a safety helmet points his finger and exhorts: 'Quality No 1, Safety No 1,' that is, quality must be achieved through safe work practice, especially the wearing of a helmet — a novel concept to China in 1984. Below the sign rust abandoned workers' barrows, their handles pointing — almost as if in aspiration — upwards. Caught by the irony, John Martin couldn't resist the temptation to collapse into the tray of a dusty barrow, in defiance of the order to work. (Helene Chung)
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