Zhou Yuwei (1937) was born in Fengcheng, Liaoning Province. He graduated from the Oil Painting Department of the Lu Xun Art Academy in 1964 and took up teaching. From 1980-1981, he took a refresher course at the Oil Painting Department of the Central Art Academy. He is currently attached to the professorial staff of the Oil Painting Department of the Lu Xun Art Academy.

Some of Zhou's oil paintings have been included in national collections.