Born in Ningbo, Zhejiang Zhenhai, Chen Yifei was graduated from Shanghai Fin Art School in 1965. In 1980 He went to US to study abroad, and attained art master's degree from New York Hunter College in 1984. He then engaged oil painting creations, held solo exhibitions in Washington, New York, and Tokyo. His works are collected by National Art Museum of China, China People's Revolution Military Museum and collectors throughout the world. In 1992, he returned to Shanghai. Besides continuing his oil painting creations, he also established his own clothing brand called "Layefe" and many visual art companies. In 1993, Chen Yifei stepped into the film making business and completed the artistic autobiography movie "Old Ocean Dream - Chen Yifei's World". From 1996 to 2000, he conducted many solo exhibitions throughout the world. He passed away in April 2005 at the age of 59 years old.