For more than 30 years, 2 prominent art schools, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and LaSalle College of the Arts who have been arc rivals in the art education scene in Singapore have finally come together and collaborated a Fine Arts staff show. Both institutes are well known for having churned out many prominent and award winning artists who are known worldwide.
When a LaSalle lecturer informed me of the NAFA LaSalle Fine Arts Staff show a few months ago, I was pleasantly surprised. Knowing that many alumus have always strongly identified themselves from either of the art schools. Clearly identifying 2 separate schools of the arts. A joint exhibition seems almost impossible. Hence I was looking forward to seeing the exhibition and the works by the staffs who are also practicing artists.
At the opening ceremony at the Lim Hak Tai Gallery at NAFA Campus 1, Mr Choo Thiam Siew (President of NAFA) said that through the years students and lecturers have crossed over and this enabled them to learn from each other and work closely together. Hence, Mr Choo initiated the NAFA LaSalle Fine Arts Staff Show so to show the unity, strengths and talents from both institute.
I also had a pleasant surprise to see my ex-lecturer, Mr NK Tan (Acting Head of Fine Arts NAFA) who could still recognize me after more than 14 years after I have graduated from the small but cosy campus at Short Street. Yes, I was an alumnus from NAFA and those were my fond memories of my youth.
So if you have missed the opening event at the Lim Hak Tai Gallery, NAFA Campus 1 last week, fret not as the exhibition is open till the 30th August. You can see 1 work each by the artists at both galleries. Or come join us for the closing event on the 30th August at ICA Gallery 2, LaSalle College of the Arts at 6.30pm.
Many thanks to the NAFA Gallery Administrators and LaSalle College of the Arts for the permission to photograph the event and exhibits.
Check out more photos taken at the event at our Flickr page.
