Born in 1962, Zi Yu Yan began his career in China at the age of twelve cleaning paintbrushes at the local Academy of Art. By the age of sixteen he was painting highly technical works, and showing the strong influence of his rigid upbringing.

Today still living in China he focuses on the subject of ballet. His focus on ballet stems from being surrounded in that environment as other family members excelled in the art form. At one time, Yan himself had ambitions of ballet and studied it at a young age. He depicts both male and female in a graceful photorealistic style while emphasizing the physical and emotional details. Yan admires the work of Degas, which is evident in the delicate approach he employs.