STEP INTO THE TEMPLE OF SKATE, A WORLD WHERE SKATEBOARDING SKULL MONKS AND MYTHICAL ASIAN CREATURES COLLIDE. TUCKS SHARE SHOW SKATEBOARD ART HAS SHAPED HIS BOLD, UNIQUE PAINTING STYLE AS AN ARTIST FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA.

Q&A

So please tell us, why did you choose this office area, which I think is quite unique and how long have you been here?

Thank you for visiting! I feel fortunate to have a workspace in a neighbourhood that offers an abundance of great local food and is centrally located, making it easy to commute to art supply stores by bicycle. The relaxed vibe and friendly community make it even better. I renewed my lease this past September and am excited to be starting my fourth year here.

Can share with us how's the environment & what facilities you have at you office?

My studio is small but cozy, featuring two large windows right in front of my working table. On sunny days, they fill the room with bright natural light, creating the perfect setting for drawing and painting.

Your office room is filled with collectable books, figurines & accessories, which I assume you are passionate about. Can you share more on your fav collection or pieces?

The most treasured piece in my collection is the sculpture Haroshi gifted me in 2017. Visiting his studio and meeting him was an unforgettable honour. I had the chance to paint a small artwork for him, and in return, he generously gifted me a handmade figurine crafted from recycled skateboards. The sculpture has always served as a reminder of how focus and determination can lead to groundbreaking achievements, a principle embodied in Haroshi's work.

When I was in your office, Glass Beam was playing in the studio, can you share any interesting music band that you discovered recently?

I haven’t explored much of IDLES’ music beyond Dancer, but their track Pop Pop Pop has a really interesting sound that caught my attention.

What do you think about fashion and social representation?

Personally, I find fashion intriguing because it often serves as a snapshot of someone’s lifestyle, interests, or even their taste in music. It’s like a silent introduction to who they are. For me, wearing something comfortable that makes me feel good and ready to take on the day is key, as it usually sets the tone for everything that follows.

Can you elaborate more about what influences you; be it any movie or music in particular?

The 90s MTV era had a huge influence on me. The animated short idents with melting faces, zombies, robots, and eyeballs showed me that

THINGS ARE NEVER BORING WHEN YOU LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN WILD AND EMBRACETHE ABSURD. THAT BOLD, OFFBEAT STYLE OF ILLUSTRATION—WHICH I’VE ALWAYS FOUND RAD—REALLY RESONATED WITH ME AND CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ME CREATIVELY

You said that you are recently got very attached to “Sofubi Toys”, can you tell us how you discovered it?

I discovered Sofubi Toys through my friends, @niki11111 and @seedoubleyouuu,who both design and collect them. What fascinates me most are the vibrant colors and distinctive facial features of these Kaiju figurines—they have a unique charm that sets them apart from other toys. Over time, I’ve started a small collection of my own. Inspired by their allure, I even created a zine/coloring book called Kaiju Face, featuring illustrated portraits of iconic Japanese Kaiju characters.

We saw the Black Hole graphic novel by Charles Burns in your office, can you share your more on what's your fav read and why?

I don’t read much, but I enjoy looking at the illustrations in books. My favourite is Hokusai Manga because I deeply admire his line work and artistry.

Skateboarding takes me back to a time when life was carefree and fun, filled with some of my favorite childhood memories—skating with my brother and friends. After nearly 19 years away from it, I picked it up again in 2009 and rediscovered skate art, a bold and uncensored form of creativity showcased on skateboards and tees. At the time, I was stuck in a monotonous web design job, and skate art gave me a much-needed spark of inspiration. It introduced me to a world where artists were creating raw, mind-blowing designs with complete freedom and having a blast doing it. That realization reignited my passion for drawing.

I then started making stickers for friends and sharing skateboarding-inspired illustrations on social media, which helped me connect with an audience that resonated with my work. Along the way, I discovered a community of artists creating incredible designs as guest collaborators for skate companies. The legacy of skate artists like Jim Phillips and Vernon Courtlandt Johnson has been a significant influence on my creative journey, shaping both my artistic identity and style.

Skateboarding has always been more about the graphics than the tricks or pro skaters for me.

IT ALSO HELPS ME STAY CONNECTED TO AYOUTHFUL MINDSET, WHICH I BELIEVE IS KEY TO ANY CREATIVE ENDEAVOR.

Though I’ve never been a great skater and still aren’t, I’m always thrilled to hit a few slappy grinds with friends whenever I get the chance.

What is your inspiration for this Crossover x Temple of Skate collection?

It’s the Year of the Snake!

If you can be the Singapore President for a day, what changes would you make and why?

I’d turn part of the Istana into a skatepark—a space for everyone to relax, have fun, and let loose for a day. Singaporeans definitely deserve a chance to chill!