A Destined Relationship: Deng Fen and Hong Kong

In the history of modern Chinese painting, Deng Fen (1894-1964), a painter from Guangdong, is no doubt a prodigy that stood out in the art world. Not only was he accomplished in both calligraphy and painting, but he also excelled in poetry, verses and Cantonese opera, even mastering the art of kernel carving. Such an exquisitely multi-talented artist like Den Fen was unquestionably a rarity in the Chinese art world of the modern era. Travelling around Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau in his early days, Deng was very active in both the art and opera circles, contributing significantly to the promotion of traditional Chinese painting and Cantonese opera. As a much unbridled and ebullient liberal, he has also left behind quite a number of intriguing and fascinating tales. Settling in Hong Kong at last, Deng unexpectedly passed away on a dark and stormy night in 1964. In this sense, he was also considered a Hong Kong painter and his remarkable achievement in calligraphy, Cantonese opera, poetry and literature should be further recognized.