Can Sun received from me, the Revista Atelierul Award: „The iconic ones”. I was captivated by his unique approach to create „Absurd poetry” – by elevating everyday objects into thought-provoking art pieces. It’s interesting how an initial visual element like his rings can draw you in, leading to a deeper appreciation of his artwork.
1. You hold a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Political Science from China, and a Master of Photography Degree from the Royal College of Art in the UK. Can you tell me a couple of words about yourself in finding your creative path? What motivates you to create art?
People don’t always know from the start what they want to pursue or what they’re best at. Like most people, it took me some time to find my direction, which turned out to be contemporary art. I did take a few detours along the way, but they weren’t exactly wasted. At the heart of all art lies something “literary,” and studying political science actually helped me understand the world better.
2. What are the values for your artworks? What was the moment that defined your style?
If there’s a core value in my work, I’d say it’s a kind of humorous absurdity. Some have described my work as being “somewhere between pain and humor, tragedy and comedy,” and I love that description. Developing this style has been a long process, often shaped by my interactions with the world. For me personally, the “unfortunate” family experiences I had during my first twenty years deeply influenced my later artistic creations.
Photo of Can Sun
3. Congratulations on winning our prize, I love your creations. Could you please tell me what inspires you in the process of creating your artworks?
I’m incredibly honored to receive this award; it’s a huge motivation for my future work. In my past creations, my initial drive was a feeling of resistance within me, and over time, I also started to feel a sense of expectation from the audience for new works.
4. Can you tell me a little bit about your creative process? Where do you take your inspiration from, and how is an artwork created?
My inspiration comes from daily observations and constant accumulation of ideas. I keep a notebook with me to jot down new ideas as they come, and then I try to bring them to life when the conditions are right. A lot of ideas turn out to can’t be completed in the process, but even the few that make it through are enough to make me feel like I’ve actually done something worthwhile—I’m not wasting my time here.
Perfect Lover II
Perfect Lover I
Mini Crown
5. I think everybody is talking about your “Love u/ Help me” ring, what was the starting point for the ring? What about “Fuck the World” ring?
The “Love u/Help me” ring was inspired by my evolving understanding of love over the years. Some people see love as salvation, some feel suffocated by it and want to call for help, and some say “I love you” but are really asking for support.
The “Fuck the World” ring, on the other hand, was inspired by a meme from Chinese social media. I suddenly thought it would be cool to turn it into a ring, letting it constantly represent the wearer’s attitude toward the world, full of youthful rebellion.
6. What is the “Emergency Weapon”?
For ordinary people like us, fighting against the world often feels small and powerless.
7. I am an art historian focused on contemporary arts; I am keen on your “Absurd Poetry” series. Can you tell me more about the project? How did you get to those forms of recontextualization?
I really love this series. By showing daily objects in unexpected forms, it encourages viewers to pause and think, breaking their usual patterns of logic. I focus on the keywords like pain, humor, contradiction, and absurdity, which reflect my own view of life—filled with both laughter and tears and a sense of random, almost absurd unpredictability. Rationality only plays a small role here, but we still need to push back against it all, as it’s the only way to find our true selves.
Dance Softly
8. What is the most important lesson you learned in your creative career?
Don’t rush. We often overestimate what we can achieve in a year and underestimate what we can do in five years. Talent is important, but what really matters is sustained talent.
9. Do you have designers or/and artists that you follow or admire?
The artist who has influenced me the most is Mauricio Alejo. He was my first inspiration and has had a long and deep impact on me. To me, he’s the best artist.
10. Your works deal with the absurdity of the world and the relationship between individuals. What is the greatest challenge you faced?
The themes of life’s challenges vary at different stages. I haven’t been in the art field for very long, but if there’s a challenge that has remained constant, it’s the way life keeps giving me side tasks unrelated to art. Sometimes it’s family, other times work or studies, or creating conditions for specific projects. Only when I handle these things does fate allow me to return to what I love—creating new artworks.
Butterfly and Candle
11. Should art be affordable?
Expensive art might only be for a few collectors, but art itself belongs to everyone; it’s a sacred moment of peace within us all.
Can Sun in studio
All the images are sent by Can Sun from his personal archive.
Thank you very much Eleonora Varotto (HOOROON) for introducting me in the world of your selected artists and designers for your coproduced exhibitions. It is great that I could award 4 designers and artists.
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