Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Oliver Lee Jackson is a painter, sculptor, draftsman, and printmaker who has maintained a long-standing studio practice in Oakland, California. He served as a professor at California State University, Sacramento, from 1971 to 2002, where he was instrumental in developing the curriculum for the university's Pan African Studies program.

Jackson’s practice is characterized by a signature series of works often referred to as paint people, which feature recurring figurative forms embedded within layers of energetic, gestural marks. His work frequently bridges the gap between traditional representation and abstract expressionism, utilizing a sophisticated command of color and composition to create dynamic, rhythmic surfaces.

In 2026, Jackson received significant international attention with his first solo exhibition in Asia, hosted by Lisson Gallery in Shanghai. This exhibition highlighted his career-spanning approach to painting and introduced new sculptural works, further cementing his reputation as a vital figure in contemporary American art.