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Born in 1910, Guangdong, China. Chen graduated from Xinhua Arts Academy, Shanghai, and Union High School in Shantou China. His days of being a student at the schools had exposed him to Western art influence, which became useful when he eventually became an art educator and writer. 

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His background as an immigrant prompted his interest in Nanyang and Southeast Asian identity. He created several artworks using Easter and Western techniques. Chen is also considered the first artist to capture landscapes of Southeast Asia along with the people using Chinese ink and composition. He is best known for his landscapes that captures kampongs and people of different ethnic groups. 

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Chen’s works have been featured in the National Museum Art Gallery of Singapore (1993) and NAFA (2010).