Yao Bangliang, born in Chenzhou, Hunan, now based in Guangzhou, is one of the most intriguing emerging voices in contemporary lacquer art. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education (2011) and a Master of Design (2015) from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, where he currently teaches in the Department of Arts and Crafts. He is also a contracted artist of Foshan Painting.

Yao’s practice began with works inspired by rural architecture and landscapes, marked by a strong pictorial sensibility. Since 2019, however, his focus has shifted toward reducing painterly expression in order to return to the essence of the lacquer medium itself. His works explore form, light, and spatial dialogue, embracing the natural hues, luster, and textures of lacquer to achieve a quiet transcendence.

His process is defined by subtlety and precision. Through layers of material and nuanced surface treatments, he creates objects that resonate silently with their surroundings, producing a palpable sense of volume and presence.

Yao has participated in numerous exhibitions in China and abroad, including Dispersion: Contemporary Chinese Lacquer Art Exhibition (2023), the Hubei Lacquer Art Triennial (2019, 2023), and international events such as the Yeosu International Art Festival in Korea and Diplomarbeiten at the Museum für Lackkunst in Germany. His works are held in the collections of the Ars Museum of Fujian, Shanghai Lacquer Art Museum, and Golden Phoenix, among others.