Yao Gengyun (1931-1988) was from Shanghai. He studied at the Suzhou Art School (1950) and the Drawing Department of the Shanghai Branch of the Central Art Academy (1955). After his graduation in 1955, he perfected his creative style and taught, i.a., at the Zhejiang Art Academy.

Yao was specialized in landscape painting. He cooperated with Fang Zengxian and Lu Kunfeng.