Chris Suharso (Siauw Swie Ching) was born in Solo, Central Java in 1931. He was introduced to the art world by his uncle, Siauw Tik Kwie. In 1964 Chris Suharso assisted the respected painter Lee Man Fong in the project “Flora and Fauna of Indonesia” in Hotel Indonesia. Two of his artworks titled "Perahu Nelajan"and "Sunatan" are amongst the art collections of President Sukarno. Both artworks are featured in the book compiled by Lee Man Fong titled “Paintings and Statues from the Collection of President Sukarno of the Republic of Indonesia” in volumes III and IV. One of his watercolor artworks “Study of a High Priestess” is displayed in Neka Art Museum in Ubud, Bali.
His first solo exhibition was held in Balai Budaya, Jakarta in1965. The exhibition showcased his artworks of Balinese rituals and landscapes using impressionistic style. Throughout his lifetime, Chris Suharso had held 10 solo exhibitions in various art spaces in Jakarta: Balai Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Oet'sGallery, and Galeri Mon Decor (currently known as Art:1). As a tribute to his works, a book featuring his selected works “The Tranquil World of Chris Suharso'' was published and an exhibition with the same title was held in Art:1, Jakarta in2014.