Page 25 - NAFA Annual Report 2017/2018

Acquisitions: Building

the NAFA Collection

This exhibition, at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries,
highlighted the breadth of works acquired by NAFA over the
past six years, and emphasised the Academy’s commitment
to greater knowledge and appreciation of art through
research, exhibitions and publications. Over 40 works were
featured from luminary artists and distinguished alumni
including anothermountainman, Boo Sze Yang,
Syamil Dasuki and Dr Cheah Thien Soong, ranging from
printmaking to painting and object making.

On 1 November 2017, NAFA welcomed His Royal Highness,
the Prince of Wales, as part of his four-day visit to Singapore.
Alumni artists introduced their works and techniques used
to His Royal Highness. As part of a specially curated
programme, students from the School of Music also
performed musical compositions featuring Western and
Chinese instruments.

Angkor Wat II

2017 Visual Arts Angkor Wat was the creative stimulus for the second
iteration of the academy-wide project, jointly managed by
Alumni Reunion the Institute of Southeast Asian Arts (ISEAA) and NAFA’s
academic schools. The project included workshops
conducted by relevant regional principals and lecturers,
and an on-location trip for a selected group of students
On 27 May 2017, NAFA’s Alumni Relations Office held to the UNESCO World Heritage site in October 2017.
its successful 2017 Visual Arts Alumni Reunion, specially This collaboration has also been integrated into over 200
organised for NAFA’s past graduates.
students’ existing curriculum and modules, and continues to
expand academic investigations of conventional disciplines
Taking the opportunity to showcase the final year creations into the realm of Southeast Asian art and art history.
of NAFA’s graduating students, the Reunion was held in
conjunction with the School of Art and Design’s Graduation In 2018, NAFA hosted a double bill exhibition in conjunction
Show, The Grad Expectations 2017. Close to 70 alumni, with its annual Open House. This inaugural hybrid showcase
some of whom graduated in the 60s, turned up to enjoy a presented the creative outcomes of the Angkor Wat II
delightful morning and lunch, reminiscent of the nostalgic project and the annual Flagship Genius exhibition, featuring
‘on the hill days’ (referring to an old campus situated near works by NAFA’s young and emerging talent from the
Mount Sophia). Invaluable information was exchanged 3D Design; Design and Media; Fashion Studies; and Fine
between the alumni and students, with the former witnessing Art programmes. The opening night featured a line-up of
the growth and achievements of NAFA through the Reunion. five performance pieces, by participating students from
The theme of the Reunion, Pass It On, spoke for itself, Theatre (English and Mandarin Drama); Music; and Dance,
encouraging the alumni to pass on their passion for their enthralling students and visitors alike.
alma mater and the arts to the younger generation,
and vice versa.
As part of the activities rolled out prior to the exhibition,
dance principals from Cambodian Living Arts, Phnom Penh,
were, for the second time, invited to conduct a three-day
dance workshop for over 220 participating students. During HIGHLIGHTS
the workshop, students were introduced to Cambodian
dance heritage, and learnt the movements to the Krama folk
dance and the Apsara dance (traditional Cambodian ballet).

25