Zhao Siwen (1940) was born in Minle County, Gansu Province, into a family of calligraphers and painters. He was influenced by his father's calligraphy and painting art at an early age and began to learn painting at the age of 6. In 1960, before graduating from high school, he was admitted to the Art Department of Minzu University of China, where he graduated in 1965. In 1973, he was transferred to the Group Art Museum of Langfang City, Hebei Province.

Zhao's works have been collected by the Great Hall of the People, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Zhongnanhai, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Military Museum, and the National Art Museum of China.