Shao Jingkun (1932-2019) was born in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. After her graduation from the Drawing Department of the Central Art Academy in 1954, she worked as an editor for the Huabei (North China) People's Publishing House. She transferred to the Beijing Art Institute in 1957 to work as a teacher. In 1964, she transferred to the Central Art Academy, where she became an associate professor.

Ms. Shao was known for her oil paintings. She was the mother of the contemporary female artist Shao Fei (邵飞, 1954), a former member of the Stars Art Group and the former wife of poet Bei Dao.