Meet SUNI MULLEN | mostly thinking…artist & writer.

We had the good fortune of connecting with SUNI MULLEN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi SUNI, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I view risks as an opportunity to choose my responsibilities.  Overall, my ability to strengthen how I intentionally take risks has increased with time. Once I began practicing self-possession, it informed my determination to commit, be, and do what I am interested in-

always.

I have made peace with possible “no’s,” which permits me to inquire and insist on maximizing my agency in all spaces and with all people. I believe risks are necessary to become the best versions of the self I aim to be. Risk-taking informs my current processes: my eternal life practice is critically contributing to the canon of intellectual black women through art and discussion. My most significant risk to date is my insistent belief in myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
With grace, I consistently maintained my integrity of myself. I am proud to be me. My vision has led me to occupy and navigate spaces in which I knew I could activate myself. My drive mostly comes from my desire to experiment and explore. I claim the resources necessary to expound upon my observations and iterations of thought.

I have painted and thought about many “things” my entire life. But the biggest question is how do I actualize the things I am interested in? Mostly, I have committed myself to figure out what “it” is as it relates to contemporary expressions of blackness in media outputs so niche and specific to the kingdom of niggatry. I am energized about this, and I am enthused by what connects a people through verbal and somatic expressions.

My mindsight and curiosity have allowed me to prevail despite challenges that have come my way. I have had to pivot towards optimism in each instance, simultaneously putting into practice being practical. What has worked for me is a constant realization that I can choose my responsibilities. And so I do.

I am very interested in being a proof of concept for working out of bounds and not allowing internal and outside projections to limit my agency. Through connection and community, I acknowledge my drive to continually improve my abilities by analyzing the complexities of thought as an eternal life practice.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Autobiography of Malcom X as written by Alex Haley Practical Wisdom | Critical Thinking by bell hooks
My Black Death by Arthur Jafa
Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination by Toni Morrison

Website: https://www.sunimullen.studio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunimullen

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKJ28-m9E0zKbVXCyh2D2JA/featured

Image Credits
Black and White film photography by Jacob Gray | @jnadir.mov