Meet Qinru Zhang | Multimedia Artist & Designer

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

Hi Qinru, why did you pursue a creative career?

In my pursuit of artistic expression, intuition plays a critical role. The creative process feels more like a calling than a choice, as if art has chosen me to be its storyteller. My work centers around the exploration of the space between reality and virtuality, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in an otherworldly experience that both familiarizes and defamiliarizes them with our world.

I work across various digital mediums, including animation, film, 3D printing, and interactive installations. Through interactivity, I strive to engage viewers in intimate dialogues around the themes of control and liberation, specifically through the lens of uncanny femininity. By transforming viewers into magical girls using augmented reality, immersing them in the mundane routine of a teenage girl through virtual reality, or imposing a female gaze through a robotic MILF head, my art prompts thought-provoking questions about the power dynamics of femininity.

My work challenges viewers to consider what happens when a woman takes control of a male audience in a digital realm. Will they submit to the power of femininity embodied by the archetypes of the housewife, the teenage girl, and the mother? Through my art, I hope to inspire deeper reflections on the complexities of gender, power, and the human experience as a whole.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

As an artist focusing on the concepts of self, virtuality, and digital representations, I find myself gravitating towards unconventional and even aggressive portrayals of femininity. Through my art, I strive to challenge traditional gender roles and shed light on the societal pressures faced by women in our modern world. In works like The Milf Film (2021), I portray a sadistic force-feeding wife, while High School Girl Miharuko (2020) depicts a teenage girl transforming into a cat at night. Through these works, I aim to normalize the representation of women, which has historically been sexualized and objectified within the patriarchy, and to create new, empowering representations of femininity.

However, being an artist exploring gender identities and conflicts, I also encounter the challenge of self-reflection. As I create, memories of my past experiences with identity expression, self-acceptance, and societal pressures resurface, and these memories and emotions can be difficult to deal with. Before proceeding with my art-making, I must find inner peace with myself, which can be a difficult and lengthy process. Nevertheless, the result of this reconciliation is always worth the effort. Through my art, I have found a powerful means to come to terms with my own identity and to express myself in a way that challenges the status quo.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

New York City is a hub of creativity, energy, and culinary delights. To start our day off right, we should grab a unique Osmanthus Latte from The Lost Draft in Soho. From there, we can explore the vintage stores in the area as we make our way to Chinatown for an authentic Cantonese lunch. In the afternoon, we can take a break at Boris&Horton, a dog cafe where we can enjoy a refreshing drink and plenty of puppy love. For the next few days, we can fill our itinerary with visits to museums and galleries throughout the city. We can explore the world of art books at Bungee Space and Printed Matter, finding inspiration for our own creative pursuits. As night falls, we can catch a movie at the Metrograph before heading to a nearby bar to unwind. On our last day in the city, let’s take it easy and soak up the laid-back atmosphere of Williamsburg. We can browse craft goods shops, furniture stores, and plant boutiques, taking in the unique creative spirit of the neighborhood. New York City is a city that never sleeps, and with its endless opportunities for inspiration, art, and good food, we’re sure to have a trip filled with unforgettable experiences.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I want to give a big shoutout to my amazing co-workers in the creative industry. As a Digital Designer at COACH, I have the opportunity to create immersive experiences that go beyond traditional artistic mediums. My work in creative production has broadened my understanding of interactive design and the many ways it can be used to engage audiences.

It was truly an honor to be a part of the team that produced COACH X White Rabbit, which recently won the prestigious Platinum Award at the MUSE Awards in the Experiential & Immersive Exhibition Environment category. This project has not only enriched my art practice but also expanded my visual thinking from all angles.

I am grateful to be part of such a talented and innovative team and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow alongside my creative co-workers.

Website: https://qinruzhang.com/

Instagram: @qinruzhang and @qinruzhang.stl