Min Xiwen was born in Changshu, Jiangsu province in 1918. He graduated from Hangzhou National Art College, where he subsequently taught until 1953. He then became a lecturer at the Shanghai Academy of Dramatic Art. Solo exhibitions include: New York, 1988; Taipei, 1995; Central Academy of Dramatic Arts, 1982, 1987 and 1990. Among the many other countries he has exhibited are Japan, the former Soviet Union and Singapore.