Born in 1943, Chai Yong’s formative art years were spent at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts from 1963-1964. He participated in several group shows in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and held two solo exhibitons in 1979 and 1981. For his efforts, Chai Yong was awarded the Efficiency Medal by the President in 1975 (as community centre organizer and art instructor) and the Special Award at the National Day Art Exhibition in 1979 by the Ministry of Culture. He obtained a Consolation Prize in 1982, and Highly Commended Awards in 1983, 1986 and 1992 at the UOB Painting of the Year Competition. He was also Commended at the Australian Art Awards organized by the Australian High Commission in 1984.  His work has been collected by the OCBC, UOB and DBS Banks, CPF Board and several local and overseas collectors.