Meet Yi Sun

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yi Sun. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Yi, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re very focused on here – improving our ability to make decisions. Everyday, we’re faced with decisions that can impact the future of our careers, businesses, relationships and more and so one of the most impactful areas for personal development, in our view, is decision-making. Can you talk to us about how you developed or improved your decision-making skills?

Decision-making has become easier for me. I usually make a choice as soon as I see my options and their corresponding outcomes, which are often researchable and predictable. However, years ago, I was notoriously known for being indecisive among my friends. Take, for example, choosing which college to attend. When I was 18, I was an art student from China, eager to study abroad to broaden my horizons while advancing my art career. I applied to many schools and received numerous offers.

Throughout my early life, my parents made most decisions for me. They protected me so well that I lacked the ability to make decisions for myself. So, when I suddenly had to choose between schools from different states, with varying faculties, curricula, and financial commitments, I was completely overwhelmed. In the end, I chose the School of the Art Institute of Chicago because it ranked highly in the US News rankings and didn’t require me to choose a major immediately. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t making a decision—I was avoiding one.

Over time, I realized that I needed to make decisions independently. Fortunately, SAIC turned out to be an excellent fit for me, but US News rankings can’t guide every decision in life. They won’t tell you whether to have waffles or a sandwich for breakfast or whether to go left or right when lost in a zoo. Neither would parents, consultants, or anyone else. I myself am a relatively conservative person; I like to keep things under control. When something feels out of my reach, I tend to stop everything altogether, which can be problematic. If I avoid making a decision and something goes wrong, I end up blaming others and my life is over.

Decision-making is about responsibility. As Sartre said, “Man is condemned to be free, because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.” The key is understanding what you truly need. The development of decision-making skills is about the courage not to regret the choices you make.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Yi Sun, and I come from Suzhou, China. I am a sculptor and currently an undergraduate student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), pursuing a BFA degree. My interest in art began with my early love for painting and drawing. I studied it for years, which helped me develop a strong sense of form and spatial thinking. As I continued my studies at SAIC, exploring various disciplines, I discovered a deeper attraction to creating three-dimensional works. This medium offers a richer potential for creativity. I regard interaction as an important part of the artwork to communicate with people, and three-dimensional sculpture is uniquely capable of this engagement.

My artworks—distinguished by modern clean lines, minimalist characteristics, and a refined finish—span from functional items to installations that encourage viewer engagement. They convey subtle, elusive expressions with a gentle hint of nostalgia, crafting an atmosphere conducive to introspection and quiet observation. These works talk to the space, the viewers, and the city, believing that the relationship between these elements can lead to something greater. Through my pieces, I aim to build meaningful connections with the audience. I use my art as a medium to provoke thought and reflection, advocating that such interactions not only deepen our comprehension but also highlight the relevance of the themes, offering a unique perspective on shared living conditions.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Integrity, executive force, calmness.

Integrity is the foundation of everything I create. It’s about staying true to my values, my art, and the message I want to convey. There were many moments when I faced external pressures, like realistic reasons or feeling out of trend and powerless. However, maintaining integrity allowed me to keep my work authentic and meaningful, as well as let me stay who I am.
The executive force drives ideas into action. Most people are lazier than they think. It’s easy to dream and plan, but executing those ideas takes discipline and determination. Over the years, I’ve learned that the gap between inspiration and reality is bridged by consistent action—small steps toward big goals. One trick to develop one’s executive force is to set small goals. Like go to the gym, you start training with small weights, and gradually, you would realize the weights must go up for you to get stronger.
Calmness is a person’s critical “configuration file” because it helps navigate the inevitable challenges and setbacks. In the creative process, things rarely go as planned. Whether it’s technical issues, time arrangements, or unexpected changes, staying calm allows me to think clearly and find solutions without becoming overwhelmed. It keeps me going while something is trying to stop me from achieving my goals. It’s also about remaining composed in the face of criticism, taking feedback as part of the journey, and never getting beaten. You’ll get there eventually.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I allow myself to take a break and have fun without worrying about the main-line task. While this might sound like a privileged action, it’s just essential to pull myself away and get some actual rest. I think this is what vacations were truly meant for. At the end of the day, nothing really matters more than your well-being. If you’re only tired, you can push through by telling yourself, “I must not give up, just keep going.” But if you’re OVERWHELMED—meaning you’ve lost passion for what your life looks like right now—it’s crucial to give yourself a pause. Just don’t forget to set a timer(it’s important), so you know when it’s time to get back to the work that matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yisun.art
• Instagram: yisun.art

Image Credits

Nemo Chen, Yi Sun