Born in 1961 in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, he is a key figure in contemporary Chinese art. He graduated in 1983 from the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts and played an active role in the avant-garde movement “’85 New Wave,” a crucial turning point in the Chinese art scene. Early in his career, he co-organized the exhibition “Seven Persons Modern Art Exhibition” (1985) and collaborated with China Central Television to document emerging practices in his region. His work spans painting, photography, and performance, using a critical and introspective language that reflects the social changes of contemporary China. Among his most well-known works is the photographic series “My Parents” (1998–2001), an intense and poetic portrait of the everyday life of his elderly parents, addressing themes such as care, vulnerability, and memory. He has exhibited in numerous institutions and biennials, including a solo presentation at the San Marino Pavilion of the 2015 Venice Biennale, as well as in museums across Europe, Asia, and the United States. He lives and works in Beijing, where he continues to produce work deeply connected to the personal and collective experience of contemporary China.