Chen Yifei (1946-2005) is a famous painter, director, and cultural industrialist. Born in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, he graduated from Shanghai Fine Arts College (now the Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University) in 1965, entered the Oil Painting and Sculpture Studio of Shanghai Academy of Painting, and once served as the head of the oil painting group. After traveling to the United States in 1980, he focused on the research and composition of Chinese themed oil paintings. With the concept of “great art”, he achieved creative achievements in many fields, including movies, clothing, and environmental design, becoming a cultural celebrity and a well-known Chinese artist at home and abroad.

His masterpiece oil paintings, including the “Ode to the Yellow River”, the “Occupation of the Presidential Palace” and the “Pacing”, were exhibited and won awards at several large-scale art exhibitions held after the end of the Cultural Revolution. In 1980, Chen Yifei went to New York. Four years later, he received a master’s degree in art from Hunter College, focusing on composing oil paintings with Chinese themes.