C.J. Yao (1941–2001) was one of the preeminent Taiwanese painters working in the 1970s. He is best known for photorealist images of urban scenes seen in reflection in the manner of Richard Estes. He worked primarily in New York during the 70s, and is included in Meisel's landmark summary of the movement, "Photorealism."Yao exhibited in over 100 shows in over a dozen countries during his life, including the 1970 Sao Paulo Biennale. He was the first overseas artist to become a permanent professor in Mainland China.