Hushed Noise’s 10: Xindi Sun on Feminist Art, Structural Resistance, and Speaking the Unspeakable
02 Apr 2025
Xindi Sun is a multidisciplinary artist and feminist activist whose work confronts gender discrimination and the emotional suppression faced by Chinese women. With a background in architecture and a deep commitment to social justice, Xindi uses art as a tool for healing, resistance, and transformation. Her practice blends personal narrative with radical materiality—cultivating everything from menstrual mycelium to handwritten letters from silenced voices. In this interview, she shares how her lived experiences, institutional pushback, and community ties have shaped her bold and deeply human artistic vision.
Hushed Noise: Can you share a bit about your artistic journey? What inspired you to start creating?
Xindi Sun: I am a born artist. Ever since I could hold a pen, I started drawing, and I never stopped until I entered the Academy of Fine Arts.
However, I only truly started creating after I gained knowledge and the ability to think independently. I began focusing on Chinese women, dedicating myself entirely to feminist art. This is the most important theme to me, and it is something I will pursue for a lifetime.
Hushed Noise: How does your cultural background or personal experiences influence your work?
Xindi Sun: I studied architecture for five years at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in China, which made me more rational. In my work, you will notice that I emphasize logic and structure. At the same time, space is also an important medium in my creations.
In my personal experience, I have faced significant gender discrimination, including academic discrimination as a result of it. My school even intervened in my work, prohibiting me from creating feminist art. These experiences only strengthened my determination to become a feminist artist.
As an East Asian woman, a Chinese woman, the oppression we face is constant and often unspeakable. My personal experiences have shaped my artistic vision. I am a deeply sincere artist—I never fake my emotions.
I am currently pursuing my master’s degree at the Royal College of Art. This international art education experience has made my work more diverse and enriched with a strong sense of humanity.
Hushed Noise: Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you develop an idea into a finished piece?
Xindi Sun: I usually start from personal reflection. For example, one of my previous works involved cultivating mycelium-based building materials using menstrual blood.
The inspiration came from my own gynecological condition—my periods would last for 30 to 40 days. I hated my female traits during those times, but deep down, I knew this feeling was wrong. So, I wanted to use art as a way to accept it, to see its beauty and strength.
Combining this with my background in architecture, I came up with the bold idea of cultivating eco-friendly building materials with my menstrual blood. Throughout the process, I wasn’t just creating; I was having a conversation with myself. I firmly believe that only stories that move me can truly move the audience.
Hushed Noise: What themes or messages do you explore in your art, and why do they resonate with you?
Xindi Sun: Feminism: Because I am a woman, an East Asian woman, a Chinese woman. The injustices I face, the struggles I go through, all stem from gender inequality. This is the source of my pain, and it is also the source of pain for my mother, my sisters, my future children. I will fight for gender equality for a lifetime.
Hushed Noise: What challenges do you face as an emerging artist, and how do you navigate them?
Xindi Sun: The endless stream of visual stimulation makes it difficult for audiences to slow down and appreciate deep, meaningful works. This restless mindset in the public also affects artists.
With the growing demand for more technology and entertainment, I believe it has become increasingly difficult to create truly profound works. On one hand, artists struggle to balance self-expression with audience preferences. On the other hand, society itself is often unwilling to have the truth exposed.
Hushed Noise: Are there any artists, movements, or experiences that have deeply influenced your work?
Xindi Sun: Tracey Emin. Her bold expression, her way of bringing intimate female narratives and private spaces into the public sphere—these are what draw me to her work. She carries a sense of provocation, and I deeply admire this fearless approach. At the same time, her visual presentation is often restrained and quiet.
This has made me reflect a lot. I used to believe that strong visual impact was necessary for a powerful work. But now, I think the true impact of a piece doesn’t come from how it looks, but from its meaning.
Hushed Noise: How do you see your art evolving in the next few years?
Xindi Sun: My art will continue to evolve as both a form of self-expression and a tool for activism. I am not only creating works but also building a movement. I want my work to be more than just seen—I want it to be felt, to challenge, to uncover what is often left unsaid. My focus will be on deepening my research and refining my methods, ensuring that my art remains both thought-provoking and impactful. I believe that through persistence and conviction, my work will become a force that cannot be ignored.
Hushed Noise: What’s a recent project or piece that you’re particularly proud of, and why?
Xindi Sun: "Touchable Letters" is my latest work. It is a collection of letters from Chinese women, sharing their confusion and experiences caused by the lack of sex education.
Through this process, I deepened my connection with the female community I am part of. As I created, I also "lived through" each person’s pain. This intense emotional experience became the most genuine source of creative power for me.
The project also gained significant attention on TikTok, reaching 5 million views and 400,000 likes. It is the most influential work I have created so far.
Hushed Noise: What role do you think social media and digital platforms play in shaping the opportunities for emerging artists today?
Xindi Sun: I think it’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provides artists with a more free and open space to express themselves. On the other hand, it can also make their creations more flattering and catered to the audience rather than staying true to their vision.
Artists must be cautious when using social media.
Hushed Noise: If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Xindi Sun: I would choose Frida. She was my feminist awakening, a symbol of resilience, strength, and immense talent. Her art was deeply personal yet universally powerful, and she fearlessly expressed her pain, identity, and beliefs. She was my childhood idol, and collaborating with her would be an incredible way to merge our voices across time, continuing the fight for women's stories to be seen and heard.
Follow Xindi Sun’s work on Instagram at @_xindisun. For inquiries, contact Xindi at 18966816546@163.com.
Edited by Xeni R. Quine
Images by Xindi Sun