Born in Northern Guangdong Province, China, in 1951, Zhiwei Tu is the son of peasant parents. As a young artist, he gained regional recognition for his work, attracting artists, teachers, and museum directors who traveled great distances to see his paintings and watch him work.

In 1972, Tu was invited to study at China’s renowned Guangzhou Institute of Fine Arts. After years of dedicated study, his work gained widespread recognition, and he became a member of both the Guangdong Artists Association and the Guangdong Oil Painters Association. In 1981, he was promoted to Professor of Fine Arts at the Guangzhou Institute.

In 1987, Tu came to the United States to continue his education and career at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He had applied to four universities and was offered scholarships from each.

Tu has received numerous national and international awards, including Best of Show from the Oil Painters of America, and later served as President of the organization.

Of his work, it was written: “Tu’s work is uniquely his own… Tu’s paintings are simple in character. No cleverness, fashionable tricks, nor superficiality appear in his work.”

In his own words: “I have been given a gift by some power, and I am deeply thankful for it… I still have that feeling today every time I put a brush to a canvas.”

Sharing his life are his wife, Danni, and son, Danlang, who joined him in America in 1988.