Danling Xiao’s Food Art

WORDS Michaela Stehr IMAGES @mundane_matters on Instagram

Sydney-based artist Danling Xiao, aka Mundane Matters, creatures quirky sculptures out of food to inspire a sustainable and creative lifestyle.

Since 2015, Danling has set herself the task to create one food art piece every day, using mainly fruit and vegetables. She also gives talks on sustainability and holds zero-waste workshops in her community.

These are some of our favourites from Instagram.

There are people who you meet at the first time, and you already feel the bond with them – @rosiefuture is one of those people to me. /// Rosie found out our workshop by browsing things to do in Sydney on her short visit. When she picked up my leftover broccoli out of the ‘mystery box’, she said she was going to make an island. Along the process, she was cutting bits and pieces, nibbling at the vegetables, chatting with everyone about nature, animals and the world. /// At the end she showed this thing ☝️ and described to me that there were two islands, floating; and there was a capsicum ladder that led people up to the islands. I thought it was a wonderful canapé idea. /// A curious, adventurous and futuristic mind. I am very fortunate to meet Rosie and keep in touch with her. ❤️? #mundanematters #superlocalxmundanematters

A photo posted by Mundane Matters (@mundane_matters) on Jun 13, 2016 at 4:18am PDT

How I feel after I cooked and ate my dinner tonight☝️? /// Things are getting busier. At 5pm I was still trying to get more work done, while at 7pm I had a podcast interview (will share later). I was very tempted to get takeaway dinner but when I opened the fridge, there were pumpkins, carrots, capsicum and a big bunch of kale I bought from the farmers’ market on the weekend. /// I changed my mind and spent an hour cooking and eating them. Not only a takeaway box was saved, but also half of my small fridge of good food was eaten. Plus I have dinner for tomorrow night. Thinking about what I have just done gave me great satisfaction. ? #mundanematters

A photo posted by Mundane Matters (@mundane_matters) on Jun 8, 2016 at 4:15am PDT

This weekend in Sydney we are hit with wild storms. On the street everyone holding an umbrella is having a bit of Mary Poppins flying experience. From my window I can see small waves constantly hitting the harbour. Perfect weather for a turmeric ginger latte, some Ryoji Ikeda’s white noise to go with the orchestra outside. And some serious research and reading, while drying my only one pair of shoes. Off veggie thinking for the weekend. Bye for now! ?? #mundanematters #sydneystorm

A photo posted by Mundane Matters (@mundane_matters) on Jun 3, 2016 at 11:59pm PDT

Going to put this guy on Anett’s pillow before she comes back. ??? #mundanematters

A photo posted by Mundane Matters (@mundane_matters) on May 26, 2016 at 3:36am PDT

If you ever wonder where I get my ideas everyday, I believe all of us, when our mind is in peace, lots of thoughts and visuals (if you are a visual person) will pop up and that should be where our inspiration comes from. It is from within. Our mind is already the greatest resource of inspiration. /// But to realise the vision is a different thing. We succeed every now and then. Most of the time we fail. That’s just the process. For example, this skeleton hand trying-to-be. ??? #mundanematters

A photo posted by Mundane Matters (@mundane_matters) on May 31, 2016 at 4:24am PDT

Instead of chasing goals, follow your intuitive voice. Go where it leads you. You will find much more enjoyment and trust in whatever you do. ? /// Anett my free intelligent inspirational life coach gave me this book called ‘Intuition & Beyond’, a step-by-step guide on how to discover and improve one’s intuition. As it guides I have started my intuition journal to learn how I can improve my ability. Shall share with you my experiment in the future. Author is Sharon Klingler if you are interested. ? #mundanematters

A photo posted by Mundane Matters (@mundane_matters) on May 20, 2016 at 4:02am PDT

I have been following the not-for-profit @pocketcityfarms for a while and really love what they do for our city. Yesterday when I saw the post about their fundraising deadline for the farm, I thought perhaps I can help spread the words and hope friends like yourself can help them a bit. I reached out to Emma to ask her about their five-year preparation for the farm. It was five years of hard work and patience – It took them two years to find the current place. The most memorable moment for Emma was breaking the ground when their development was approved – after four years they started the land search! Since then they have been preparing the soil, raising funds, designing the space and working with the council and their collaborators to improve the space. It is till now we start to see a beautiful veggie garden that replaces the old unused greens of Camperdown Bowling Club. Moreover, the locals will be able to buy organic produce from them, and send their compost to help the farming. Till the opening in June they needs our help. If you share the same value in ethical farming and shopping local, especially if you live in Sydney inner-west, please make a pledge. You will be able get some homemade compost or yoga workshops etc as a gift for the money you donate. More info see @pocketcityfarms. #mundanematters

A photo posted by Mundane Matters (@mundane_matters) on May 18, 2016 at 3:48am PDT

Everyone sings – We all live in a yellow submarine. Yellow submarine, yellow submarine. ? /// Imperfect fruits are beautiful. By selling them at a much cheaper price, my local farmers market has saved 2 million kilograms of fruits and vegetables from being thrown into the bin in the past year. Buy them if you have the options. @lianerossler and I use them in our workshop too. ????? #mundanematters #superlocalxmundanematters

A photo posted by Mundane Matters (@mundane_matters) on May 14, 2016 at 5:39am PDT

Beautiful big bug by @isabelleaileentoland. More creations and workshop photos see link in my bio. ? Do good things: 1. Zero waste. Creativity without damage to the environment. Most fruits and vegetables we use are the imperfect ones people don’t want. All scraps go to compost. All artworks go to the creators’ stomachs. 2. Create a purely joyful, free, loving experience. 3. Discover our inner child and creativity together. More good things to come. Thanks to all adventurous spirits for joining us on the first week to create such beautiful energy together. It is very special to have you @raquelduron @thereverendchay @jacquithorburn @charlie.xiao.75 @jerkscully @breezeblockhead @scarletlilli @feltysurface @isabelleaileentoland @johnnylieu with @lianerossler at @superlocalstudio (photos to your inbox soon xx)

A photo posted by Mundane Matters (@mundane_matters) on Apr 26, 2016 at 2:59am PDT

The delight in the days of feeling a little stressed and constipated, came when I first saw the test print. No one photo I have taken has given me such pleasure – texture, sense of touch, feelings that are long gone in the digital world. Oh, and relief. I am very excited about showing the prints. I am very thankful that I have one of the country’s best art print masters to help me print these photos. In saying that, I am now confident to share these prints and hope they will bring more joy to you – not on a small screen, possibly at any size that fit your space. I am hoping to synchronise my two-week exhibition and sell the prints online. Keep an eye on my progress if you are interested. ❤️ #mundanematters

A photo posted by Mundane Matters (@mundane_matters) on Feb 19, 2016 at 3:37am PST

For more information, visit mundanematters.co.