Chen Chong Swee (1919 - 1985) was born in China. He graduated from the Sin Hua Art Academy in Shanghai in 1931 and came to Singapore in the same year. From 1936 to 1970 he taught art at various schools, colleges and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. At the same time he travels with other contemporary artists to countries around Singapore to paint the exotic scenery and people. Chen was awarded the Meritorious Public service Star in 1965 by the Singapore Government. The National Museum Art Gallery Singapore honoured him with a retrospective exhibition of his works in 1984.