A Hakka photographer from Beipu Township (北埔鎮) of Hsinchu County, Deng Nan-guang (鄧南光) was recognized as one of the pioneers in Taiwan’s photography. Deng was influenced by the photography trend that had been just popular in Japan at that time. The trend in visual art emphasized spontaneity, snapshots, montage, solarization, and subconscious minds in photographic aesthetics and art forms.
Deng left behind nearly 6000 negatives of photos including portraits, still lifes, architectural structures, and natural scenery, widely recording the images of Taiwan’s cultural and social landscapes. He persisted in keeping the photography journal with his camera, reaching the zenith of his creative output. Most importantly, Deng, from the perspective of a local photographer on the island, created precious photographic records on Japan-ruled Taiwan with his distinctive visual aesthetics.
Throughout his life, Deng Nang-guang experienced Japanese colonialization, World War II, and Nationalist rule in Taiwan. He used his camera to capture images from all walks of life during his lifetime, leaving behind a precious legacy in Taiwan’s photography. As a leading figure who pioneered realism photography on the island, Deng, with his abundant creative energy and artistic achievement, exerted a profound impact on Taiwan’s photographic art.
Read more about the photographer here or view a sample of his works on the website of National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.