Chai Zushun (1935- ) was born in Hangzhou. He entered Shanghai Art College in 1952 and graduated from East China Art College in 1956. He worked in the socialist-realist style. During the Cultural Revolution Chai was heavily criticized, but kept working on oil paintings of approved subjects, often in collaboration with other artists.

After the Cultural Revolution Chai was recognized as National First Class Artist. He returned to his favorite subjects: tigers, dragons and other animals. In his later years he developed a lyrical form of abstract painting in bright colors.

Chai excelled at oil painting and calligraphy.