Artist Interview: Qinru Zhang

Qinru Zhang has long been frustrated by the way Asian women are idealized in male-centric media—the delicate beauty, the obedient wife, the innocent girl. Wanting to break free from these limiting roles, she initially distanced herself from them entirely, finding comfort in androgynous online avatars. But this detachment became a turning point. It led her to reconsider what femininity truly meant and how she could reclaim it on her own terms. Now, through digital art, Zhang challenges these restrictive narratives head-on, using pink aesthetics, cuteness, and mirrors to tell stories that embrace femininity in all its complexities—sometimes exaggerated, sometimes distorted, but always deeply intentional. We asked Qinru about her art, creative process, and inspirations.