吴劳别名尚清，浙江省义乌市人。中学毕业后，相继入苏州美专和杭州艺专雕塑系学习。早期作品有《抗战版画》、《打回老家去》；连环画《万古流芳》等。抗战爆发，参加抗日救国活动，1938年到延安鲁迅艺术学院学习。一九三九年到晋察冀边区华北联合大学文艺学院任美术教员。作品有木刻年画《抗战到底》、《平山县儿童团》、《民兵》，木刻连环画《铁疙瘩》、《学文化》等。1943年调回延安，作品有《爆炸英雄李勇》、《原来是裤子》、《咱们来到南泥湾》、《送军鞋》等。一九四八年随部队进北平，此后一直从事美术教育工作，研究装饰美术、文艺理论以及国画、书法等。曾任中央工艺美术学院教授、副院长，中国美术家协会理事，北京工艺美术学会副会长，《装饰》杂志主编等职。作品有《南泥湾的歌声》、《虎啸图》等。著有《展览艺术设计》，美术论文有《漫谈壁画》、《谈封面设计》、《一次不平凡的展览艺术设计》、《活动展览架的设计》等。美术作品还有《戚继光平寇图》、《王秀窍》和《双虎图》等。

Wu Lao alias is still clear, zhejiang saves person of justice black city. After the middle school graduates, mix only into Suzhou beauty in succession Hangzhou art only sculpture is study. Inchoate work has " woodcut of war of resistance against aggression " , " hit a native place to go " ; Comic " eternally flows fragrant " etc. War of resistance against aggression erupts, attend fight day of activity saving the nation, to Yan'an Lu Xun artistic institute learned 1938. To border area of advance examine look forward to China north combined an university 1939 literary institute holds the post of art teacher. Work has woodcarving New Year picture " fight to the bitter end " , " children of smooth hill county is round " , " commando " , woodcarving comic " iron a knot in one's heart " , " learn culture " etc. 1943 recall Yan'an, work has " explosive hero Li Yong " , " it is trousers so " , " we come south slimy bay " , " send army shoe " etc. Made the same score into north along with army 1948, after this is engaged in art teaching the job all the time, research decorates art, literary theory and traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy to wait. Ever held the post of professor of college of the arts and crafts central, assistant dean, director of Chinese artist association, beijing arts and crafts learns vice-chairman, " decorate " the duty such as magazine chief editor. Work has " south the singing of slimy bay " , " roars of a tiger pursues " etc. have " exhibition art is designed " , art paper has " informal discussion mural " , " talk about cover to design " , " not ordinary exhibition art is designed " , " the design that mobile exhibition wears " etc. Art work still has " Qi Jiguang makes the same score Kou Tu " , " Wang Xiu a key to do sth " and " Shuang Hu pursues " etc.