Chronology of Deng Fen

1894	Born on the 15th of September of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, Deng was a Native of Nanhai county in the province of Guangdong. His grandfather and father were both famous classics scholars. He came from a wealthy and literary family who made their money in the salt-trading business.
1900	In the early years, Deng expressed interest and talent in painting, calligraphy, music and literary classics. Under the influence of his father, he apprenticed under master artists including Dong Yi Kui, Zhang Zhenong and Li Beihai.
1913	Deng began teaching art at several schools and colleges.
1917	Deng’s father died. It has been suggested that his death may have had an impact on his unrestrained character and personality throughout the rest of his life.
1921	Deng’s artistic talent was generally recognized by many wealthy business people and government officials. His works were highly praised by Gao Qifeng (One of three masters of Lingnam school) and were thus featured in the First Art Exhibition of Guangdong province.
1922	At the age of 28, Deng’s artwork earned high esteem from fellow artists. He attended the Sunday Tea Gatherings with famous painters to discuss Chinese traditional paintings.
1923	Deng formed the Guihai Painting Cooperative with various well-known artists in Guangzhou. He became good friends with Cantonese opera actor Xie Pinghai. Deng even renamed him as Xie Juxian and assisted him in his future career success.
1924	Deng participated in the Second Exhibition of the Guihai Painting Cooperative. His paintings were also featured in the Exhibition of the Tian Ma Society in Shanghai.
1925	In April, the Guihai Painting Cooperative was reorganized and renamed as the Chinese Painting Research Society. The group of traditionalists associated with the society included Deng Fen, Pan Zhizhong, Pan Dawei, Huang Bore, Deng Erya, Lu Zhishu, Li Yanshan, and Shen Zhongqiang. Members of the society met regularly at the Liu Rong Si (The Temple of Six Junipers) in Guangzhou. At the time, this meeting place was recognized as the stronghold of Traditional Chinese Paintings.
1926	Deng formed the Hong Kong branch of the Chinese Painting Research Society with fellow artists Pan Dawei, Huang Bore and Deng Erya. One hundred and eighty-two artists joined the society as members. In this year, Deng composed the well-known Cantonese Opera Aria “Meng Jue Hong Lou (Illusion of the Red Chamber)” and painted an artwork depicting the scene of this aria. On New Year’s Day of this year, he painted one of his master pieces “Zhong Gui Snatches Demons”. The unique theme and composition of ghosts and Zhong Gui – the demon queller, expressed the sense of modernism and satire, and was a huge artistic breakthrough.
1927	Deng hosted the wedding ceremony of Xie Juexian in Guangzhou.
1928	1928 Through the introduction of master artist Gao Qifeng, Deng met with famous painter Bao Shao You who had just returned from Japan. They became good friends.
1929	In April, Mr. Huang Huiwen, the director of the Ministry of Education in the province of Guangdong, invited Deng to represent Guangdong at the First National Art Exhibition held in Shanghai. Here, Deng was introduced to Shanghai’s art circle, as well as scholars and political figures, such as Zhang Daqian, Xu Beihong, Huang Jiynan, Huang Bin Hong, Jyn Wanyun, and Dou Jytsheng. Deng participated in the West Lake Exposition held at Hang Zhou, Zhejian province. He also worked in the art department at the Exposition. Master Painter Zhang Daqian praised Deng as the only master painter in Guangdong. Another famous painter, Huang Bin Hong wrote him a poem and stated that “In Nanhai (Guangdong) the Master of painting should be Deng Fen”.
1930	Deng was invited to participate at the International Art Exhibition held in Lyon, France and in Belgium. Deng met with famous artists Xu Bei Hong, Jiang Shaojian, Pan Yueliang, Wang Jiyuen and Zhang Yujiu for an art discussion.
1931	Deng’s artwork “Aura of Autumn” was collected in an art book “The Ocean of Paintings by Contemporary Masters” published by the Shanghai Chung Hwa Bookstore. Master Zhang Daqian was the editor of the book.
1932	Deng returned home to Guangzhou from Shanghai. He later began his art tour around China with his fellow artist friends Chen Shaobai, Deng Zheran and Zhou Zhiyuan. He ended his tour in Beijing, where he studied the treasure of art at the Palace Museum.
1933	Deng took the teaching post as Principle Professor in Chinese painting at the Municipal Art College of Guangzhou. Master Artist Xu Bei Hong visited Deng in Guangzhou and discussed Chinese Painting some more.
1934	In October, Deng participated in a charity event hosted by Tung Wah Hospital in Hong Kong. Later, Deng attended the annual meeting of the Hong Kong Chinese Painting Calligraphy and Literary Society and the Chrysanthemum Art Festival presented by Lai Ching Art Institute.
1935	The Hong Kong Literature and Arts School was established. Principal Hou Yao invited Deng as Professor of Chinese Painting. In October, Deng’s artwork was published in the first issue of “Art Magazine” published by the Municipal Art College of Guangzhou.
1937	Japan began its invasion of China on 7th of July. Deng and his family fled to Hong Kong in September.In this year Deng joined an art gathering with Huang Junbi, Lu Zishu and Li Yanshan in Hong Kong.
1938	The Japanese Army invaded Guangzhou in October. From 1938 until 1952, he wrote a series of poems in an album entitled “Reminisces of Shuiming Pavilion”to commemorate his beloved lover. In September, Master Artist Zhang Daqian held an art exhibition in Hong Kong.Zhang met Deng and inscribed words of comfort dedicated to him.Zhang also gave Deng four brushes as a friendship gift.
1939	Jian Jinglin, founder of “Ziuhai Tong Studio of Seal Carving, Painting and Calligraphy” invited Deng to become a member. Deng also served as a tutor of Chinese Painting for the Studio. In the fall, Deng moved to Macao with his son Deng Chi Iok. Deng attended art gatherings with artist Li Yan Shan, Shen Zhongqiang and Zhang Xianning.
1940	1940 Deng wrote a collection of poems in an album expressing mixed feelings while residing in Macao. He met with artist Bao Shao You and Wan Jiyuen again. Deng wrote a poem to commemorate the event. Deng also sponsored a newspaper reporter Li Jianer to publish the book “The Biographies of Contemporary Guangdong Painters”. Deng joined many artists of the Lingnan School in Macao to discuss art. Among these artists were Guan Shanyue, Feng Rending, Situ Qi, Feng Kanhou and Li Fuhong.
1941	Deng settled at Jixian Club in Macao. He established his art studio “The Ou Si Kong Studio”. He attended art gatherings with Master Gao Jianfu and his students of the Lingnan School. Many opera actors and actresses from Hong Kong and Guangzhou went to his studio to discuss art and music. The Japanese occupied Hong Kong on December 18th.
1942	1942 Hong Kong was in turmoil during the Japanese occupation. Deng’s home was invaded and he was robbed of his valuables. Fortunately, Deng had his favourite jade pendant recovered. He turned this pendant into a seal, and engraved on it “Huan Pei Lou’, meaning “the return of my jade pendant”. In the summer, Deng was forced by the Japanese army to join the so-called “Guanzhou visiting tour”. These types of activities were used to symbolize the control of Japanese ruling in the Chinese life. Some other famous actors like Mei Lanfong and Xie Juexian were also in the tour. When they returned, they painted an artwork entitled “Three Friends of Winter”. Xie painted bamboo, Mei painted plum blossoms and Deng painted pine trees and made an inscription. This became a famous piece of art.
1943	Deng returned to his native city Guangzhou. Under the pressure of the puppet government in Guangzhou, Deng unwillingly joined the Southern China Art Association. He was then labelled by people as a traitor. He was extremely sadden and ashamed and retreated to Macao again.
1945	Japan was defeated and surrendered. The Japanese occupation of China and Hong Kong came to an end. Deng wrote a poem to commemorate the moment of victory.
1946	Deng was deeply affected when he was labelled as a traitor during the war. He used a seal mark “Yongren” on a poem scroll meaning “Person who fell in the water” as a satire. He would later use this seal in the artwork.
1948	Zhang Daqian held a solo exhibition in Hong Kong. Zhang joined Deng and other famous artists in gatherings at Jian Qinzhai’s Xiuhai Studio. Deng made a price list of his artwork; Buddha and Beauties from $200/foot, and landscape, flowers and birds for $150/foot.
1949	“Exhibition of Deng Fen’s Painting and Calligraphy” was held at the “Centre of Modern Chinese Painting and Calligraphy” on January 29th and 30th. In March, Jiuhuatong Studio presented the exhibition “Masterpieces by Contemporary Painters” at the “Centre of Modern Chinese Painting and Calligraphy”. Artwork from Masters such as Li Yan Shan, Gao Jianfu, Ye Gongchuo, Zhang Daqian and Deng Fen were featured. That same year, Zhang Daqian visited Deng in Macao. He presented Deng with a fan to celebrate their friendship. He was also a mentor to Deng’s son, Deng Chi Iok. That summer, Deng studied a book on his clan’s history. He wrote a poem to express his sentiment..
1950	1950 Deng’s son, Chi Iok held an exhibition in Macao. Deng wrote a poem to show his support, encouragement and expectations.
1951	While Deng was residing in Macao, he devoted himself to painting. He sent many of his works to Jiuhua Tong Studio for sale in Hong Kong. He painted his masterpiece “The Twenty-Five Fairy Ladies” on New Year’s Eve.
1952	Deng attended the monthly “Yi Garden Art Gathering” alongside many famous artists from Macao and Hong Kong.
1954	Deng resided at the Deer Horn Hotel in Hong Kong. He painted diligently and put his art up for sale. One of his works “Ladies Picking Vetch” was sold to Mr . Auyeung Lun and is now part of a collection in the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
1955	Deng painted a vertical scroll “Buddha of Infinite Life” and presented it to Mr. Lau Siu Lui as a gift. Lau was a collector and art dealer who owned the Taiyilou Collection and the Jiu Hua Tong Studio. The scroll is now part of a collection in the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
1956	In April, Master Artist Yan Shan Shen of the Lingnan School returned to Hong Kong after an exhibition in Singapore. He called a gathering to meet with Deng Fen, Zhao Shaoang and Li Yan Shan. All four artists were influential in the art scene at this period of time. Deng Fen travelled to North Eastern and Central China for an art tour. He returned to Macao in September. On October 31st, his best friend and famous opera actor Xie Jue Xian died in Guangzhou at the age of 53. Deng was deeply saddened and was a committee member at Xie’s funeral. He wrote a story of their friendship and published it in the commemorative book of Xie’s life. In November, artist Feng Ren Ding of the Lignan School, who was vice principal of Guandong College of Art, invited Deng to return to Guangzhou to further his artistic career.
1957	Deng spent a lot of time attending art gatherings with Situ Qi, Lin Jin and Cui Deqi at the Juming studio in Macao. He gave a lot of artistic advice to Lin Jin, who was a scholar, calligrapher and seal carving expert.
1958	On May 2nd, Chou Qi Yun, a talented female artist, became Deng’s student in Hong Kong. Chou invited many painters, scholars, celebrities and media representatives to attend the ceremony. The ceremony included all the proper solemnities of Chinese tradition and was greatly admired by guests.
1959	Painter Situ Qi held an exhibition in Macao. Deng attended the exhibition and met with many of his friends in the art scene.
1960	Deng participated in a charity art exhibition in sponsorship of a Buddhist organization. In spring, Deng painted the work “Zhong Gui, the Demon Queller” at the Juming Studio in Macao for Mr. Cui Deqi. Deng’s distinctive technique in figure painting was admired and appreciated by his friends at the studio. Deng spent a lot of leisure time at the Hong Kong Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter for enjoyment and fun. He had a memorable acquaintance with the singer-sisters Situ Zhen and Situ Yu, who performed on amusement boats. With Deng’s influence, the sisters became popular in the Cantonese Opera music scene. It was this time when Deng wrote his “Causeway bay Typhoon Shelter Poems Collection”. In July, Deng organized the “Exhibition of Bonsai, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy” with the support of more than thirty artists, including Huang Bore and Gao Zhengbai.
1961	Deng participated in the “First Yi Garden Society of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Art Exhibition” in Macao. Mr. Ho Yin, chief representative of China in Macao, along with the Governor of Macao, the British Consulate General and many other celebrities attended the Grand Opening ceremony. This exhibition was a great success, with more than two thousand visitors.
1962	Deng held a solo art exhibition at the St. John’s Cathedral in Hong Kong Island.
1963	Deng painted the work “Night Scene at the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter”, now part of a collection at the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
1964	Deng passed away at Hong Kong’s Tung Wah Eastern Hospital on September 10th. His funeral was attended by celebrities, artists, scholars, students and media friends in Hong Kong and Macao.
1965	As a tribute to their teacher, Deng’s students organized an exhibition featuring Deng’s works in Hong Kong’s St. John’s Cathedral on October 14th.
1974	On July 20th, the exhibition “Works by Seven Late members of Yigarden Society of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy” was held in Macao. Works from Deng and others were featured. In October, the Association of Poetry Calligraphy and Painting of Hong Kong organized an art gathering in commemoration of Deng’s anniversary. An Album of his artwork was also published.
1976	The Album “Paintings by Deng Fen” was published by one of his students Chen Bing Guang in Australia.
1984	The Exhibition of 20th Century Chinese Painting was presented by the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Deng’s work was featured.
1986	A commemorative book "A Review of Deng Fen's Art" was published by Prof. S.Y. Poon.
1995	Deng was a featured artist in the Exhibition < Arts of Hong Kong > was presented in the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
1997	In August, Macao held the exhibition “A Retrospective of Deng Fen’s Art” organized by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao. A book on Deng’s works was also published.
1998	Seminars for the discussion of 20th Century art and artists of Hong Kong were organized by the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Deng was a featured artist.
1999	In November, the exhibition ‘A Dream of the Red Dust – Selected Works by Deng Fen” was presented by the Hong Kong Museum of Art. An introduction of Deng’s art form was also published.
2008	The premiere launch of the website “Deng-Fen.com”. This website provides an internet platform introducing the life and art of Deng Fen and his son Deng Chi Iok.