Born in Jincheng, Liaoning Province, Liu Xiaodong studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, where he later became a professor. He emerged as a significant figure in the Chinese contemporary art scene during the 1990s, associated with the New Generation movement that shifted away from political pop toward a more grounded, observational realism.

His practice is characterized by a documentary approach, frequently traveling to remote or socially complex locations to paint laborers, migrants, and local communities directly from life. His medium is primarily oil on canvas, often executed on a monumental scale to capture the physical presence and psychological state of his subjects.

Liu continues to maintain a global exhibition profile, with his works featured in major international institutions and galleries. His practice remains focused on the intersection of human experience and shifting geopolitical landscapes, reflecting a sustained commitment to figurative painting as a tool for social inquiry.