Hui Tian was born in Wuhan, China. From 1981 to 1985, Hui studied oil painting and art history at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and obtained a bachelor's degree in literature. After graduation, he taught at the oil painting department of the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts. During this period, he participated in the "China 85 Art Trend" and organized the "Hubei Tribal Contemporary Art Society".

In 1990, Hui came to study art at the Brooklyn College of CUNY and was trained in Contemporary art theories and techniques. During his stay at Brooklyn College, Hui mainly came into contact with contemporary art and studied painting. He was encouraged to paint from observation and inner feelings, which would prove pivotal in his development as a painter and remains a staple of his practices today.

Hui believes that contemporary art is not just aesthetics, but also should pay attention to current social problems. His works have been exhibited in some art Museums and galleries including the San Diego Art Museum, New Britain Art Museum of America, Arkell Museum, Islip Art Museum, Monmouth Art Museum, Trenton City Museum, Bristol Art Museum, Mattatuck Museum, Haggin Art Museum, Arnot Art Museum. His solo exhibition in China in 2018 was reported by Frieze. Hopper Prize interviewed him in 2022. His artwork "Andy Warhol with Skull" won the First Place Award in the Artists Guild 2022 Spring Exhibition of San Diego Art Museum Art.