Wu Jian was born in 1956 into an artistic family in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. He spent ten years of his formative years in Xian City, one of the most ancient cities in China. He became affected by the surrounding cultures and, from early on in his youth, developed a keen interest in art and design.

As an artist, Wu Jian became influenced by the decorative styles of the ancient Han and Tang Dynasties. Wu Jian has spent many long hours researching the mythology and folklore of these ancient civilizations.

His paintings were premiered at the LA Art Expo in 1989. The resulting tour and demonstration of his painting technique throughout the country brought increasing demand for his paintings and prompted the publishing of his first two serigraphs "Dragonfly" and "Seabreeze" in the spring of 1990.