Born in Quanzhou, China, Cai Guo-Qiang began his artistic training in stage design at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. He moved to Japan in 1986, where he began experimenting with gunpowder as a medium, eventually relocating to New York City in 1995 to further his international career.

His practice centers on the controlled use of explosives to create ephemeral drawings and massive public spectacles. By harnessing the unpredictable nature of gunpowder, he explores themes of history, cosmology, and the intersection of traditional Chinese philosophy with contemporary global culture.

Cai continues to maintain a significant global presence, with recent inclusion in major institutional surveys such as the 2026 National Gallery of Victoria Triennial. His work remains a staple of contemporary art discourse, bridging the gap between traditional fine art and large-scale public performance.