b. 1988, Liaoning, China; lives and works in Beijing, China.

Cao Yu is a Beijing-based artist known for her captivating exploration of gender, identity, and societal norms within the realm of art. Born and raised in China, Cao brings a unique perspective to her work as a female artist living in a complex and rapidly evolving society. Her artistic practice delves into the intricacies of art's historical values, interrogating and challenging them through a feminist lens. Drawing from her personal experiences, Cao Yu's artworks often feature thought-provoking narratives that blend autobiography with broader social commentary. Through various mediums such as video, performance, and installation, she creates immersive and engaging environments that invite viewers to reflect upon their own perceptions and biases. Cao Yu's artistic practice pushes boundaries and prompts critical conversations about gender roles, societal constraints, and the intersections of personal and collective experiences. The work contributes to the ongoing discourse on feminism, cultural identity, and the power of art to challenge and reshape perspectives.

Cao Yu's recent exhibitions include Stepping Out! - Female Identities in Chinese Contemporary Art, Lilehammer Art Museum, Norwegian; Kunstforeningen Gamle Strand, Copenhagen, Denmark; Museum der Moderne, Salzburg, Austria (2023/2022); Empowerment, Kunstuseum Wolfsburg, Salzburg (2022); Passing Through the Human World, Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing (2021); The Exhibition of Annual of Contemporary Art of China, Shanghai DuoLun Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai, China (2021); LOVELOVELOVE THE SENSORY GARDEN, Today Art Museum, Beijing (2021); SNAPSHOT, Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing (2021); Femme Fatale, Galerie Urs Meile, Lucerne (2019); Goodbye Plastic, Longtang, Zurich (2019); Chinese Whispers 中国私语 - Recent Art from the Sigg Collection, MAK Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Vienna (2019); The Exhibition of Annual of Contemporary Art of China 2017, Beijing Minsheng Art Museum, Beijing (2018); and I Have an Hourglass Waist, Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing (2017).

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