Born in Guangdong, China, Guan Liang was among the early cohort of Chinese artists who traveled abroad to study Western painting traditions. Upon his return to China, he became a foundational figure in the development of modern Chinese art, bridging the gap between classical ink traditions and European oil painting techniques.

His work is characterized by a unique fusion of styles, often applying the expressive, fluid brushwork of traditional Chinese painting to the medium of oil on canvas. He frequently depicted subjects from Chinese opera and folklore, imbuing them with a modernist sensibility that emphasized simplified forms and emotive color palettes.

Guan Liang remains a significant historical figure in 20th-century Chinese art, with his works held in major institutional collections. His legacy continues to be studied as a primary example of the cross-cultural exchange that defined the modernization of Chinese visual arts during the early to mid-20th century.