Zhao Yao was born in Sichuan in 1981, and graduated from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 2004. He currently lives and works in Beijing. His solo exhibitions include ’51 m2: 3# Zhao Yao’ at Taikang Space (Beijing, 2010) at Beijing Commune in 2011, 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2022; ‘Spirit Above All’(London, 2013), ‘A Painting of Thought’ (Pace Gallery (Hong Kong, 2015) ; ‘The Power of Nature: A Ten Thousand Square Meter Painting in Beijing’ at Workers Stadium (Beijing, 2018). His work has been shown at group exhibitions at Tate Modern, London (2010), Fremantle ArtsCentre , Australia (2011), Rubell Family Collection, Miami (2013), The Broad Art Museum, Michigan (2013), Pinchuk Art Centre,Ukraine (2013), ZKM Center, Germany (2013), UCCA,Beijing (2013), Boijmans Van Beuningen, Nederland (2014), ’Inside China’, Palais deTokyo, Paris (2014), ‘Adventures of the Black Square’, Whitechapel Gallery, London (2015); Rockbund Art Museum, Shanghai (2019).