Born in Yongkang, Zhejiang in 1937, Chen Jialing graduated from the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts in 1963, studying Chinese paintings under Pan Tianshou (1897-1971). He later became a student under Lu Yanshao (1909-1993), specialising in landscape painting and calligraphy, and taught at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts. Since the 1980s, Chen has explored ways to unite ancient Chinese mural painting and European watercolour painting, resulting in a distinctive style marked by his use of faded, light layers of ink and meticulous lines. In contrast to his soft-hued paintings, as an avid photographer, Chen strives to capture the beauty of nature and the richness of its colours through his camera lens.