Irish De La Salle brother built Singapore's top art college
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Joseph McNally, a De La Salle brother from Ireland, founded the Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore in 1984.
- The college, which began with 27 students, is now a leading art institution in Southeast Asia, ranked among the top 100 globally.
- McNally, who became a Singaporean citizen, was driven by a dream to nurture creative excellence and is honored with streets and the campus named after him.
In Singapore's vibrant cultural center, the Lasalle College of the Arts stands as a testament to a singular vision. Its six organically shaped glass buildings, usually quiet on a holiday weekend, are currently bustling with visitors for the annual graduation show, a showcase of student talent across fine arts, design, film, and animation.
With over 2,300 students, Lasalle offers a diverse range of courses, including fashion, performance, music, and creative writing. It has evolved into one of Southeast Asia's premier art schools, recognized globally within the top 100 for art, design, and performing arts. However, its humble beginnings in 1984 saw only 27 students, a venture spearheaded by Joseph McNally, a De La Salle brother hailing from Ballintubber, County Mayo, Ireland.
When he retired as principal of St Patrick’s Secondary School in 1982, Br Joe felt there was still more he could do. He had one remaining dream upon retirement: to stay in Singapore and set up an arts college.
"When he retired as principal of St Patrick's Secondary School in 1982, Br Joe felt there was still more he could do. He had one remaining dream upon retirement: to stay in Singapore and set up an arts college," recalled Lasalle's president, Venka Purushothaman. McNally's mission was to cultivate a teaching and learning environment focused on nurturing creative excellence in the visual and performing arts.
His mission was to build a teaching and learning environment in the visual and performing arts that focused on nurturing creative excellence. Slowly but surely, Lasalle began to grow from strength to strength.
McNally, who arrived in Singapore in 1946, dedicated his life to education and art. After teaching at St Patrick's School and later becoming its principal, he pursued his passion for art, studying in Rome and earning a doctorate from Columbia University for his thesis on establishing an art school in Southeast Asia. He also worked as an artist, creating paintings and sculptures, often exploring the fusion of materials.
Initially named the St Patrick's Arts Centre, the college operated from rented buildings on the school grounds, funded by McNally's personal savings. He became a Singaporean citizen in 1985 and is deeply honored in the city-state, with both a street and the campus bearing his name. Venka described McNally as a "deeply personable individual" who was also fiercely determined, often "ruffling feathers" in his assertive pursuit of artistic excellence and nation-building through art.
He was deeply passionate and assertive as to what was needed in the form of visual arts for a young, modernising Singapore. He ruffled feathers, but people appreciated his commitment to nation-building through art.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Irish Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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