Conversations with Kynfolk | Jiahe Zhang
Artist and model Jiahe Zhang invited us into her north London studio to share more about the inspiration behind her work, which is currently exhibiting at Soho Revue gallery until 17th of April 2026.
Having worked with AKYN creative director Amy Powney for many years, most recently modelling our AKYN collections, Jiahe shares how she balances a successful career in modelling and as an artist
Q: Thank you for inviting us into your beautiful studio! Can you tell us a bit about your work and what inspires your art?
A: I'm a visual artist, mainly focused on painting. My process involves just as much research and writing as drawing and painting. I think the time spent outside of the studio is as important as time spent inside it; my paintings are the product of problem-solving, somehow. The work always begins as a question, wish, or confession - something I have to work out: is this important? Is it truthful? The city provides endless questions for me; I'm interested in understanding what shapes 'reality' here. It leaves a unique texture on the soul - even in the countryside, the mind is acutely aware of the lack of that ‘city-ness’. There are so many metaphors to be found in the city; they illuminate the collective emotion of the lives that inhabit this space, and their contradictions.
Q: How would you describe your artistic style to someone seeing your work for the first time?
A: The paintings are brief moments of realisation to whatever occupies me at the time, so they are quite changeable in theme. The atmosphere of my work is usually ambiguous, a lot of them depicting landscapes or scenes which I imagined. I’m not sure what genre my paintings are to be honest, I try not to think too much about it.
Q: What themes or emotions are you most drawn to exploring in your art?
A: I'm interested in painting honestly, and in understanding what makes up our collective reality. I’m careful never to place my artistic reality above political reality though. Life's soft and natural integrity is so beautiful, yet so often reduced to a resource, or seen as a threat by those concerned with power and profit. I want to make images that amplify empathy and a desire for change. I strongly believe in expression over suppression – in all areas of life.
Q: Are there particular artists, movements, or life experiences that have influenced your style?
A: I've always liked Post-Impressionist paintings. Those painters were heavily influenced by the Japanese art style Ukiyo-e – very flat images produced by woodblock printing. They were unimpressed by industrialisation, so the general emotion there was usually about escaping the city for nature. My grandfather worked on commercial shipping boats and brought back art from all over the world; he has many of these prints, which I was very moved by as a child. I think it's because I grew up in the city, and the depiction of nature felt otherworldly. I paint flat images of nature and the city now – which makes a lot of sense, actually.
Q: You’re also a successful model as well as an artist - how do you balance both sides of your work?
A: The first couple of years modelling, whilst finishing university, were hard. I was at an age where I was already struggling to understand what I really wanted in life, and both things demanded energy and my full attention. I'm very comfortable now with where I am – the balance I tried so hard to control and manage eventually came naturally. I think once you start doing things with intention, you can't go wrong!
Q: How do your identities as an artist and a model intersect - or differ?
A: Modelling is work which requires me to anchor on my physical abilities and my appearance for a certain period of time of a working day. Being an artist never stops, because it’s not work really it’s just a way you chose to exist in the world. But both ask me to be emotional and have really helped me to understand myself.
Q: Did it feel different being photographed in your own creative space?
A: I have had more shoots in my studio in the last couple of years, and at first it’s always a little awkward because I’m usually alone in there, but I’ve known Nick for many years now so it was really nice to show my painting process to him.
Q: You’ve modelled our AKYN collections in the past and also today for our shoot. What are some of your favourite pieces from our collection?
A: Yes! I have worked with Amy for many years and our conversations have kept me inspired, her newest collection for AKYN has to be my favourite so far - I love primary colours on the vintage tailoring she does. My favourite pieces from AKYN will always be any tailored trousers, dresses and shirts - they are timeless pieces with understated elegance.
Q: Where can we see more of your artwork?
A: I currently have some new paintings in a group show at Soho Revue gallery, it’s on til the 17th of April. I also have a solo show coming up at the end of June this year.
Jiahe wears a selection pieces from our Core and 004 collections, including our Lola black dress, Fenella Mid-Wash Denim Shirt with Blake Mid-Wash Blue Jeans, Fenella Undyed Shirt with our Chiara Black Trousers, Daisy White Top with Teagan Off-White Trousers, and our Harper Black T-Shirt with Dylan Ecru Jeans.
Photographs by Nick Prediville.
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