Unfortunately in 1941, the Japanese invaded Singapore and the Sino-Japanese war started. The School closed due to the war as the teachers and students at the School feared for their life. One of the respected teacher Mr Tchang Ju Chi was killed by the Japanese during the war.

The Nanyang Fine Arts College had over the years encountered various problems since its establishment until the closure of the School during the war. In 1937, the colonial government in Singapore prevented co-ed schools for students over 12 years of age. The School persevered and obtained permission from the government to accept both male and female students. Other problems include difficulty in finding a suitable building for the School and its financial difficulties, which affected the progress of the School. Fortunately, the School had a group of volunteers to teach without salary. It is because of these volunteers that the School was able to continue until it closed for 4 years during the war.


In 1946, the second year after the Japanese surrendered, led by Mr. Lim Hak Tai, and supported by the board of directors of the School - Mr Zeng Qichang and Mr Cai Tingpu, the School re-opened. It was then situated at No. 49 St.Thomas Walk. After the Japanese occupation, owing to the political uncertainty in China, many Chinese came to Singapore in search of a better life. It was then that the School attracted several famous artists like Cheong Soo Pieng, Chen Wen Hsi, Chen Chong Swee and Liu Kang to teach at the Nanyang Fine Arts College. Students benefited greatly from their teachings.

In the 1950's and 60's, the local political and social scenes, such as the racial problems faced by Malaya, the struggle of Singapore for independence, the down- turn of the economy, the workers' and hawkers' strikes, provided many subjects for the local artists' creativity.

In 1950, the School published in its 6th graduates souvenir magazine the "Nanyang Fine Arts College Artwork Catalogue". The first half of the collection included photographs of the students' daily activities in the School as well as outside the School. The second half was a collection of the School's teachers' and ex-teachers' works. The subjects were varied and full of local flavour.

During the 1951 anniversary celebrations, the Board of Directors Fund Raising Committee raised funds for the School Development fund. During the same year, the 6th and 7th batch of graduates from the School came together and formed a committee for an exhibition and published the exhibition souvenir magazines. The Exhibition was held at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. This was the third time that the School held an external exhibition. A total of 63 artists participated in the Exhibition and 435 pieces of art works were displayed.

In 1953, Georgette Chen joined the School. Owing to her education in China, France and the United States, her art works displayed both eastern and western influences. The subject of her works was very localized. During the time when she taught at the School, she influenced many students. She also made a great impact on the development of the art education in Singapore.

In 1955, the 15th batch of graduates published a periodical named the "Nanyang Youth Arts". This became an important art periodical at the time, which published several 2nd generation artist's works, which could not be seen in any other magazines.

In the autumn of 1956, many graduates went to France, Europe, United States and Japan for further studies.

In 1963, the founding Principal Mr Lim Hak Tai passed away and his son Mr Lim Yew Kuan was appointed as the acting Principal of the School. Ms Georgette Chen was the secretary. A year later in 1964, Mr Lim was duly appointed the Principal of the School. He became the 2nd Principal of Nanyang Fine Arts College.