Fang Jizhong (1923-1987) was born in Mianxian, Shaanxi Province. He received no formal art training. After he joined the revolution in 1949, he was active in the Shaan-Gan-ning 陕甘宁 Base Area. Later, he worked in the Chinese Painting Section of the Xi'an Branch Office of the Chinese Artists Association. During the Cultural Revolution, he was struggled against and locked up in a "cowshed" until 1970. Subsequently, he and his family were "sent down" to Baishishan Village, Yangxian, Shaanxi Province. From 1972-1976, he taught art classes to the masses in the Hanzhong cultural centre. He was rehabilitated in 1978, after which he assisted in reviving the Shaanxi Branch of the Chinese Artists Association. In 1982, he set up the Shaanxi Chinese Painting Academy.

Fang was an expert in Chinese painting who contributed works to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and other official buildings.