Chen Youji (1940, Jianchang, Liaoning Province) graduated in 1964 from the Lu Xun Fine Arts Academy. In 1978, he joined the teaching staff of the Fine Arts Department of Dongbei Normal College in Changchun, where he still works.

Chen is known for his figurative painting in 工笔 gongbi ('meticulous')-style, and for his New Year pictures.