Born in Henan, China, Yao was admitted to the Affiliated Senior High School of Xi An Academy of Fine Arts in 1956, and then was graduated from the oil painting department of the same academy in 1975. Right after graduation, he began to teach at the Fine Arts Department of Henan University, served successively as lecturer, associate professor and professor. He is also a member of China Artist Association. Yao excels at oil painting, especially known as the subjects depicting portrait, landscape, flower and still life. Since 1980, he has won many awards from the National Artworks Exhibition, and published several personal catalogues. Two of his works are collected by The National Art Museum of China; other works are wildly collected as well by the private collectors at home and abroad.