Bob Yan was born in 1970 and graduated from the Tianjing Academy of Fine Arts. After further pursuit in higher studies, he obtained a Master's degree from the Beijing Central Institute of Fine Arts. Since 1991,Yan's works have participated in numerous group as well as solo art exhibitions in and outside of China. Collectors include the Chinese Fine Arts Museum and the Museum for Contemporary Chinese Literature in Beijing.

Yan is currently a full-time artist based in Beijing and has over 200 works of art in private collection.