The Full Essay
Project Declaration
“Surely the artist is one who is skilled in action. This action is in life and not outside of life.”
I. Origin: From Orphan to “Heiqiu'en”
【Mother's Passing】
At the end of 2022, China's pandemic policy opened up. Lao Mu's mother was unfortunately infected with the virus and passed away soon after.
“《Day Seventeen — Death Gaze》……from then on Lao Mu also became an “orphan”.”
“Mother lives in heaven.”
The shift in identity from “one who has a mother” to “orphan” became the emotional origin point of the entire project.
【The Chiang Mai Q&A】
“The children of Chiang Mai asked Lao Mu: why did you come to help us?”
“Lao Mu said: just over two months ago, when China's pandemic policy opened up, my old mother was unfortunately infected with the virus and passed away. From that day on I too became an “orphan”.”
Answer: because we are of the same kind.
【From Artist to International Volunteer】
“From 《Soul Sexual Companion Manifesto》 to the “Five Hundred Arhats Online” global premiere plan, today's Lao Mu has stepped beyond his country's borders, transformed into a dark-yellow international volunteer “Heiqiu'en” (Black Sphere of Grace). Carrying his persistence with the Five Hundred Arhats and his concern for human destiny, he has set foot on a new path of no return!”
【Core Practice】
“Learn art with Lao Mu, which is not only free but also earns money!”
“跟老木学艺术，不仅免费还能挣到钱！”
II. Project Mechanism: Three-Stage Progression
【Stage One — Training Volunteers: “Become a Student First”】
Subjects: university student volunteers and teacher volunteers from around the world
Method: Lao Mu personally leads, first letting the volunteers experience the process of painting.
“They are all university students, so they easily understand my meaning, and through them I can then reach the children.”
【Lesson One: My Home】
· Content: draw your family environment and members
· Purpose: understand each person's actual living situation and personality
· Discovery: the family backgrounds described by white children form a sharp contrast with those of the orphans
“Very interesting — to see these white children describe their family backgrounds and life situations, in sharp contrast with the orphans of the orphanage.”
Why this matters: this is about the human family, about the question of “who am I”. Only by understanding “where I come from” can we move on to the next stage.
【Stage Two — Triggering Dreams: “My Dream”】
Premise: based on the first stage's deep understanding of each person's background and personality
【Lesson Two: My Dream】
· Content: starting from this person, draw their true future ideal
· Method: through painting, drawing out people of different ages to express themselves through art
· Relationship: volunteers and orphans form a benign interaction, building a relationship of equal mutual aid
“Through painting, drawing out people of different ages to express themselves through art, and letting volunteers and orphans form a benign interaction — and an equal, mutually-supportive relationship at that.”
Core principle: not “I teach you”, but “we paint together”.
【Stage Three — Continued Accompaniment: From Dream to Reality】
(Connecting to the long-term “Ten-Year Accompaniment” plan)