We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Xiefangzheng “Will” Sun. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Xiefangzheng “Will” below.

Xiefangzheng “Will”, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I do think I’m quite happy working in the creative profession – but sometimes it can be really tricky working a full-time job at an architectural studio. Unless you’re starting your own business, you’d most likely be working under the creative direction of someone else, which can often be restrictive. Even if you work for yourself, there are still real constraints like clients’ wishes, budget, etc… So I find it important to keep a healthy distance from your daily work and understand that it is not necessarily tied to your own expression. At the same time, I also believe that it is critical to find ways to express oneself outside of monetary work as well – this can be many things. For me that means photography, futsal, drawing, and basketball – all of which can be quite creative.

Xiefangzheng “Will”, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I work at a small architecture office in New York – the majority of the work we do are public-oriented building projects funded by the city including branch libraries and museums, as well as residential projects in the New York City region. I am quite motivated to work, knowing that the project we do will result in critical community infrastructure that are free and open to the public.

On my own I often write and draw about architecture and cities, and spend a lot of my time traversing and documenting New York City.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

This year was the year that I have spent more time in the U.S. than China, my home country. It is a critical point in my life where I am beginning to understand and affirm myself that my identity is not really rooted with one culture or nationality. I think one of the most important things we can do as creative people is to help different folks understand each other, and bond with one another. I’ve seen that happen through music, photography, food, and well-designed community spaces… The ability to understand multiple worlds and cultures is something that I am quite fortunate to have – and I hope I can create spaces and express myself in a way that brings people together.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think the way we educate our future generations is really important – because the more people understand the creative process and the impacts of creative work, the more our work gets valued in society.

Musicians and actors are perfectly good examples – most of us enjoy film, TV, and music, and most of us appreciate what we watch and listen to more because we understand how hard it is do play an instrument or act convincingly. But if I were to ask a student what makes a public space or building good, and why it’s important to our society, they might not be able to answer right away. Once they understand, however, it of course makes sense. Well-lit, well ventilated spaces make people happy. Non-toxic materials will help people live healthier. So to me education is key – and it is also on us professionals to help the public understand why our work matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sunxiefangzheng.com
• Instagram: sunxiefangzheng

Image Credits

headshot by Yuhao Jiang

all other images by author.