Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kexin Zhang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kexin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road—like most journeys, mine has been filled with challenges that shaped who I am today. Early on, I faced doubts about my ability, the pressure of people around me who engaged in the same work, and doubts about the theme I want to express, which taught me resilience and the importance of staying focused on my goals.
One of the biggest challenges was to clarify the theme and original intention I want to express. Feminism receives significant attention in society, but it is also a very broad field. To avoid being overly general, it was difficult to define my own stance within it. However, by replicating renowned works and continually combining them with the themes I am passionate about, I eventually found my true direction. I aim to express women’s empowerment through their assertive attitudes in sexual interactions, showcasing that women hold the right to be in a position of power. It was a period of growth where I had to balance advancing my painting skills while integrating my own voice into the world. Looking back, those moments taught me not only technical skills but also patience, problem-solving, and the ability to keep going when things felt overwhelming.
While it hasn’t always been easy, I’ve learned to view struggles as stepping stones rather than roadblocks. They’ve helped me appreciate the successes even more and have shaped my approach to both life and work.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Since kindergarten, I have loved drawing, especially creating cute female characters. I have always been fascinated by depicting the charm of women through drawing.
Today, through oil painting, my work explores the topic of women’s sexuality being freed rather than suppressed. As a child, I was afraid and confused about sex, taught that it was dangerous, could lead to unwanted pregnancies, and spread diseases. Sex was a taboo subject. I used to think that most sexual encounters involved force. However, as I grew older, I realized that the issue is not with sex itself, but with those who lack moral boundaries and take advantage of others’ innocence. I hope to challenge such inappropriate behavior, promote sexual education, and emphasize that everyone has the right to express their desires.
As I learned about BDSM, I saw that it aligned with my ideal of sexual activity based on mutual consent. Despite misconceptions, it emphasizes respect and honesty. In BDSM, the submissive holds power through consent and boundaries, and violations of consent make actions unethical, empowering women in a new way.
I am also deeply interested in classic world-famous paintings depicting the female nude. By incorporating my own research on BDSM, I have reimagined the representation and status of women in these iconic works.
For example, with “Bar,” I use Edouard Manet’s “A Bar at the Folies-Bergère” as a reference. I modernized the environment with brighter colors and changed the appearance of the subject, but her facial expression still directly faces the viewer, as in the original. It shows a more modern woman, no longer ashamed or passive in expressing her desires on a historical stage. Still life is an element of European art that I often use in my work. I enjoy placing food or vessels alongside women, reminding people not to objectify the female body. I believe my approach of redefining women’s social status through classical oil painting elements from a sexual perspective is unique.
My female figures are depicted wearing hoods, gags, or nipple clamps, yet their gaze is unwavering, direct, and resolute as they confront the viewer. At times, they hold whips or sharp daggers, embodying a sense of power. Through their expressions, they assert: “I feel no shame for my actions, nor will I hide my desires. Every move you make will be according to my will, and all actions must have my consent. Without it, I will defend myself and retaliate against you to protect my autonomy.”
I feel that feminism is a vast and complex topic, and I don’t want to approach it in a broad or general way. Instead, I hope to focus on a smaller, specific branch of it—one that can help women facing sexual crises in society. By doing so, I aim to make a meaningful contribution to addressing these issues and supporting those in need.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
One of the most influential works that reshaped my thinking is Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman. While not a conventional business or management book, this novel profoundly transformed my views on intimacy, desire, and emotional honesty. Set in the Italian countryside, it tells the story of a brief yet intense romance between two young men during a summer in the 1980s. Through Aciman’s lyrical writing, I was freed from the conservative, shame-based ideas I grew up with regarding love and sexuality. It redefined for me what it means to be vulnerable, to long, and to express desire unapologetically. This awakening has deeply influenced my creative direction—particularly in exploring themes of BDSM and emotional complexity in my work. It taught me that boldness in emotional and sensual expression is not something to fear, but something that can be liberating and even joyful—an essential mindset for both personal growth and creative entrepreneurship.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, my creative journey is driven by a mission to empower women by reshaping how female sexuality is perceived and represented in art. Through oil painting, I aim to confront societal taboos and challenge the traditional portrayal of women as passive or objectified figures. Instead, I depict women who are self-aware, sexually autonomous, and in control of their narratives. My work draws on personal experiences and broader cultural observations to question harmful norms around sex, shame, and consent.
By incorporating BDSM imagery—often misunderstood yet deeply rooted in mutual respect and power dynamics—I highlight the importance of consent and agency. I also reimagine classical artworks with modernized, assertive female figures, creating a dialogue between historical representations and contemporary feminist perspectives. My goal is not just to provoke or aestheticize, but to contribute to conversations around sexual education and women’s rights, especially for those navigating sexual trauma or societal judgment. Through art, I strive to support a more honest, respectful, and empowering understanding of female sexuality.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @reena.zh
