“Pure View”：meaning ‘Child’s Drawing’, or ‘Fairy Tale’.
Through the innocent eyes of a child,
See oneself, see others,
Paint a scene, an object, the familiar and the unfamiliar.
Pure View® was established in 2017 as an annual non-profit art public welfare project, aiming to support education in remote rural areas through art, using art as a bridge to promote one-on-one mutual assistance and learning between participants.
Over the years, Pure View® has reached many remote villages such as Dagaji in Yunnan, Qitai in Xinjiang, Miao Village in Xiangxi, and Bali in Indonesia. We hope to draw more attention to rural areas through children’s paintings, help local communities develop their characteristic cultural industries, and encourage more parents of left-behind children to return home and support local development.
Dagaji in the mountains of Yunnan is where the dream began. When children from the mountains and cities wore Pure View® cultural shirts together, carrying drawing boards and paint boxes as they walked through the village; when they focused on mixing colors and painting in the fields, markets, foothills, houses, and homes of villagers under the curious and admiring eyes of the locals, a seed was quietly planted.
(Image: Young volunteers painting at the mountain market)
During the 10-day event, volunteers overcame challenges such as having only one shower, sleeping on hard wooden boards, going to the toilet in the dark, using buckets to heat water, and being bitten by mosquitoes…
Of the 15 children from Dagaji who participated in the Pure View project, most were left-behind children, and some were even orphans. Living in a resource-scarce area, their circumstances did not diminish their kindness, simplicity, zest for life, or gratitude. Though they rarely expressed thanks with elaborate words, they consistently showed their appreciation through heartfelt actions.
(Photo / Letters written to Teacher Li by the local children)
Together with the participating children, we held the “Pure View – Dagaji Village” art exhibition at the Wenshan Prefecture Museum in Yunnan, showcasing over 60 artworks created by these young artists along with photos documenting the event.
(Photos / The children’s portraits of each other and their depictions of how they envision one another)
In early August 2019, under the scorching summer sun that still beat down on the vast land of Xinjiang, the Pure Viewvolunteers arrived at the beautiful Jiangbulake Grassland, meeting the children from Qitai County for the first time with curiosity and anticipation.
Over the next 10 days, everything gradually unfolded—from initial strangeness to growing familiarity, from shy reserve to heartfelt connection, and from hesitant first strokes to confident, free-flowing brushwork. Every transformation happened bit by bit…
(Photo / The children sitting in a circle, painting a local grandmother)
(Photo / The children’s paintings of the kind-hearted grandmother)
I still remember the shyness and unfamiliarity when the young volunteers first met the children from Qitai, and how the Kazakh and Tatar children got teary-eyed when talking about their hometowns.
(Photo / The young volunteers and their local friends taking a group photo together)
How deeply they love the land beneath their feet—we may not fully grasp it, but we will always remember those fiery souls hidden within their small bodies.
During our previous Pure View in Liangdeng Miao Village, we endured extremely harsh conditions: water shortages, the inconvenience of dry toilets, rugged off-road journeys, and those ancient, crumbling houses—all of which were part of the everyday reality for the local children.
(Photo / We stayed in the homes of local farmers in Liangdeng Village)
The harsh environment was undoubtedly a tough challenge for every volunteer, both young and old. Yet, what was truly remarkable was that they all persevered.
Their efforts were not just about supporting the children—they were also a test of their own courage and determination.
This journey was like stepping into two vastly different worlds: leaving behind the convenience and comfort of the city to enter a natural world that was materially simple yet breathtakingly beautiful. What a unique and meaningful experience that was.
True to the original spirit of Pure View, our goal wasn’t to teach the children complex technical skills. The true value of these children lies in their innocence and spontaneity. Instead, we aimed to inspire their keen observation, perception, and curiosity about nature, the world, and the things around them—helping them preserve their most authentic, unspoiled selves.
(Photo / The children sitting by the mountain road, painting the old tiled houses)
This year, Pure View took us to Bali—an island nestled between the Indian Ocean and the Java Sea. Here, we painted alongside local children, wandering up moss-covered stone steps, wandering through lush forests, and often settling in rice fields, at the homes of our Balinese friends, or beneath grand trees. Immersed in the daily lives of the Balinese people, we picked up our brushes to capture the island’s mystique.
(Photo / Painting together under a centuries-old banyan tree)
During this journey, we visited many local Balinese artists—each with their own distinctive artistic voice.
Some were deeply dedicated to painting bees, using the microscopic world to explore the philosophy of life.
Others found beauty in hiding butterflies within intricate lines and geometric patterns, conveying the elegance of transformation and the essence of freedom.
Still, others brought deities and spirits from Balinese mythology to vivid life, using sacred imagery to probe the profound mysteries of existence.
These artworks not only carry the artists’ voices and philosophical visions, but also conceal profound understandings and unique insights into the world beneath every vibrant stroke of color.
(Photo / A local artist preparing to demonstrate painting techniques)
In our free time, we often visited the homes of our local friends. Their families were incredibly warm and hospitable—every time, the entire household would greet us at the door and serve us dishes made from their homegrown taro, corn, and sweet potatoes.
(Photo / Painting the chicks in the bamboo cage at a friend’s house)
(Photo / Painting the unique bamboo cage at a friend’s house)
(Photo / A group photo with our local friends at their house)
Each household had its own distinctive character—stacks of oddly shaped stones, winding plants, exquisitely carved wooden gates…
(Photo / Young volunteers engrossed in painting)
The trip came with its own set of challenges. For one, everyone was crammed into a single room, sleeping on the floor—where accidental encounters with countless ants and nameless insects were a daily occurrence, and the only lullaby at bedtime was the chirping of roof-dwelling lizards…
(Photo / Our “amusing rooftop roommates”)
The damp air made it nearly impossible for clothes to dry completely, turning every brush of fabric against skin into an involuntary symphony of discomfort—though we were at least grateful to have access to showers this time.
(Photo / Accommodation in Balu Village)
On the other hand, language posed a major challenge—we didn’t speak a word of Balinese. Even so, everyone actively found ways to communicate with the local children, and the kids made heartfelt efforts to understand one another.
(Photo / Teacher Li distributing schoolbags and art supplies to the local children)
From nothing to something, from zero to one, from strangers to acquaintances, and from acquaintances to close friends—for the children, none of this was difficult. They always blended in together in no time.
(Photo / The children playing “One, Two, Three, Wooden Man” and kicking a ball together)
These ten short days are not only precious memories treasured in our hearts as volunteers, but equally so for the children of Bali.
Perhaps one day, at some moment in the future, when they see the great banyan tree, the rice fields, or even a blade of grass and a tree in their home, they will feel the urge to pick up a brush, to observe with care, and to discover that beauty is hidden in the ordinary rhythms of daily life…
And these memories will become fuel for your life—bursting forth with immense power whenever you recognize beauty!
Childhood holds the cleanest, purest gaze in all the world. In their eyes, the sky is blue and the breeze is fresh, trees stand tall and insects hum, fish glide through cool waters—this human realm is beautiful, untouched by vanity or fame, free from tangled schemes and cunning.
The Pure View® Bali Art & Charity Project opens at Whale Art Museum in Singapore
Every pair of eyes brims with attention and sincerity,
every brush is imbued with earnestness and a spirit of exploration…
(Photo / Pure View@ Bali Exhibition Hall)
The paintings they created have not been refined by systematic education—they are innocent and whimsical, brimming with imagination, capturing the world in its most essential form.
(Photo / Pure View@ Bali Opening Ceremony Venue)
Special Thanks for Pure View® Bali 2024:
NOTHINGART, Anta Group, InterContinental Hotels, Whale Art Museum, Singapore–China Association for Economic, Trade, Science & Technology, Culture & Education Exchange, Nanyang Management Institute, Fudan University Singapore Alumni Association, Singapore Artists Association, embassy 1967, Chinese Headlines, Linda Gallery & 33 Auction
As well as individuals who contributed:
Li Jie, Prycille Caboche, Gao Jing, Shi Dixia, Chen Lihan, Wang Linlin, Fang Xianmei, Liu Yutong, Li Letian, Li Lu’an, Li Luna, Dylan Fong Sing, Alexia Fong Sing, Li Ziyi, Li Jiayi, Pan Bochang, Pan Yule, Jeffrey Peng, Chen Mingxiang, Roni Daryanto, Wang Changxing, Joshua Tay, Lina, Phil, Liu Feifei, Long Pan, Mo Caolian
