Dai was born in a scholarly family and received training in calligraphy, painting and literature since childhood. He is a poet, author, painter, performance artist, and curator, a rare instance of a contemporary artist who combines exhibition planning with cultural criticism.Beginning with Keepers of the Water (1995), Dai Guangyu has mobilized dozens of contemporary art events in Chengdu and other parts of China, collaborating often with artists, critics, and the media.