A self-taught artist, Chiu began drawing as a child in Canton, China. His earliest works were abstractions that quickly gained recognition when he moved to Hong Kong in the early 1960's.

In 1972, Chiu moved to Paris and began developing his current style of realism, mixed with elements of impressionism and abstraction. He felt this was the perfect means of translating to canvas the moodiness and mystery of Paris' historic shops and cafes.

Chiu selects his subjects on walks through Paris' older sections. He is attracted by buildings with a feeling of solitude; places where it is still and quiet, like a stage set waiting for the players to arrive. In his studio, Chiu builds around a realistic central image, adding collage and other elements to add depth and make the viewer think more about what is going on in the art.

Chiu's work has received recognition at shows and galleries in Germany, Paris, and Hong Kong. His paintings were first shown in the United States in 1995 and immediately gained him a loyal following of admirers and collectors.