Born in Beijing, Zhiyao was influenced by artists throughout human history, various cultures, and genres of art. He moved to Boston after high school to continue his study of fine art painting. In Boston, he absorbs art concepts from various visual art movements and cultures while practicing his own art. Absurdity always emerges in his art, as he narrates truthfully. Renaissance, surrealism, and symbolism are the repetitive elements that he represents. As a young painter, Zhiyao found that using traditional methods of figurative paintings and surrealist ways of composing images is the perfect way to depict his young-personal aspect of the world. Zhiyao actively promotes his artworks to the world in different ways such as attending exhibitions, taking commissions, and graphic design, among others.