Ying Zhu was born in the midwest region of China. As a young adult she chased a big city dream to Beijing—but it somehow led her to Omaha, Nebraska. Now she embraces her midwestern-ness: she eats bloody steaks, raises chickens, and has added cowboy boots to her shoe collection.

Ying has been an Artist in Resident at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art and Vermont Studio Center. Her recent exhibitions include site-specific installations at Sun Valley Art Center, New Orleans Contemporary Art Center, and Kaleidoskop in Berlin. She has been selected to participate in the III Moscow International Biennale for Young Art in 2012. She recently finished a 1% for art public installation at Project Harmony. She is the recipient of 2013 NAC Distinguished Artist Grant. She is also the recipient of Best Emerging Artist and Best New Media Artist at the 2012 Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards.