Born in 1970 in Zhengzhou, Henan province, Duan Jianyu graduated from the oil painting department at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Art in 1995. She currently teaches at the South China Normal University of the Arts in Guangzhou. She was awarded The Winner of the Best Artist of Chinese Contemporary Art Awards (CCAA) 2010. Duan Jianyu’s recent solo exhibitions include: Sharp, Sharp, Smart, Mirrored Gardens, Guangzhou, 2016; A Potent Force: Duan Jianyu and Hu Xiaoyuan, Rockbund Art Museum, Shanghai, 2013. She has participated in international exhibitions and bienniales, the recent shows include: One Hand Clapping, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, U.S.A, 2018;  APT8, Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2015; 15 Years Chinese Contemporary Art Award (CCAA), Power Station of Art, Shanghai, 2014; etc.