Born in Shanghai, China in 1966, graduated from College of Fine Arts Shanghai University in 1987, he was awarded a prize by Chinese Contemporary Art Association, Switzerland-China in 1998. Selected art exhibitions include: 2010 "Desserts: Zhou Tiehai", Shanghai; 2005 Montpellier/Chine: MC1 Biennale international , Montpellier, France; 2005 Prague Biennial, Prague; 2004 Shanghai Biennial: Techniques of the Visible, Shanghai; 2003 "Zhou Tiehai", Milan, Italy; 2002 Gwangju Biennial, Gwangju, Korea; 2011 Chendu Biennial, China; 2000 Art Basel, Switzerland; 1999 Venice Biennial, Italy.