Born in Beijing， Zao studied at Hangzhou Academy of Fine Arts under the direction of Lin Fengmian，and remained at the Academy to teach after graduating in 1941. He left for Paris and held his first solo exhibition in 1947. His works had been on exhibition at famous galleries in Paris and New York in the late 40s and throughout the 50s. He had become the most outstanding Chinese painter in Paris since the 70s. Zao’s powerful abstract paintings are highly recommended in Western countries，Taiwan， and Hong Kong. The works are included in the collections of museums and art galleries all over the world.
