Born in Shandong in 1983, Zhang Yu showed a strong interest and natural talent for painting from an early age. As she grew up, her passion for art only intensified, and painting became her unique way of engaging with the world. In 2001, with solid technical skills and an unwavering dedication to art, she was admitted to Studio No. 3 of the Oil Painting Department at the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts. Immersed in this artistic environment, she absorbed knowledge eagerly, studying oil painting theory and techniques systematically and building a strong foundation for her future artistic practice.
In 2005, Zhang Yu graduated from the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts with a bachelor’s degree and officially began her career as a professional painter, settling in Beijing. Even in her early years, her works—painted with delicate, hyperrealistic brushstrokes and infused with strong surrealistic themes—quickly drew the attention of the art world. Her early creations focused on the spiritual and psychological landscapes of female subjects.
