Tuck Wai is a skateboarding illustration artist from Singapore, but his "canvas" extends far beyond just brushes and paper. Incense burners, apparel, ceramics, skateboards, sculptures—all serve as vehicles for his endless inspiration.
A decade ago, we shared some content introducing his unique art form. His "Temple of Skate" series, which blends skateboarding culture with ancient Chinese culture, went on to influence the entire skateboarding world. Yet, this artist, who is so low-key he's almost mysterious, has left very little personal content online beyond his artworks.
Thanks to his collaboration with VISION this year, where he's brought his GSD (Go Skateboarding Day) visuals and apparel to life through skate content, he was invited to Shanghai to participate in the Go Skateboarding Day event. This also gave us the opportunity to chat with him and hear the full story of his skateboarding and artistic journey.
Tuck Wai 是来自新加坡的滑板插画艺术家，但他的“画布”远不局限于画笔和宣纸，香炉，服饰，陶瓷，滑板，雕刻……都是他源源不断灵感的载体。
十年前我们发过一些内容介绍他的艺术形式，其结合滑板文化和中国古代文化而推出的“Temple of Skate”系列内容，也影响了整个滑板世界。但这位低调到甚至有些神秘的艺术家，除了画作外，在网络上留存的个人内容寥寥无几。
借着今年他和 VISION 合作，呈现系列 GSD 视觉和服饰，滑板内容，他也应邀来到上海和大家参与了滑板日活动。我们也有机会和他聊聊自己滑板和艺术创作的完整故事。
🎙️ How did you get started with painting and skateboarding?
I’ve always been into drawing since I was a kid, but I never really saw it as something I’d do for work. My older brother got me into skateboarding around ’89, and I skated for about three years plus before stopping. Then in 2009, a big skatepark opened in Singapore and that got me back on the board. I had to relearn everything from scratch, but the muscle memory for ollies was still there. Getting back into it also led to a bunch of new friendships. Drawing was always something I enjoyed growing up, but rediscovering skateboarding gave me a whole new world of things I wanted to draw.
🎙️ 你是如何开始开始画画和滑板的？
我从小就喜欢画画，但从来没想过这会变成工作。89 年左右，我哥哥开始带我接触滑板，但滑了三年多就停了。2009 年，新加坡开设了一个大型滑板公园，这让我重拾滑板。我开始重新学习滑板的所有动作，好在我对滑板的肌肉记忆还在。
重拾滑板还让我结识了许多新朋友。在我的成长过程中，画画一直在，但重新滑板给了我一个全新的世界，让我有了更多想画的东西。
🎙️ How did the idea of incorporating ancient Chinese elements and temple motifs come about? And how did you blend in so many Japanese influences as well?
It started pretty randomly. I came across some old kung fu pose illustrations in the Chinese section of the library, sketched one with a brush pen, added a skateboard, and posted it on Instagram. Friends responded well, and I realised certain Chinese elements could actually work in my drawings. That sketch grew into the “Temple of Skate” series, where I leaned further into combining Asian motifs with skate culture.
🎙️ 运用中国古代和寺庙元素的想法是如何诞生的，后来你又融入了很多日式风格对吗？
开始的时候很随意。我在图书馆的中文区看到了一些古老的功夫姿势插图，于是用毛笔画了一个草图，加了一个滑板，然后把它发到了 Instagram 上。
没想到朋友们的反响不错，我也意识到很多中国元素可以用在我的画里。我进一步将亚洲图案与滑板文化相结合，逐渐发展成为 “Temple of Skate”系列。
Throwing in lowbrow details like skull faces, flames, and fangs gave it a fresh, playful energy. It made the work feel more fun and personal. The Asian aesthetic seemed to find a natural bridge into skate art, and it was cool to see people respond positively to that mix.
画中加入的骷髅脸、火焰和獠牙等细节，给作品注入了新鲜、俏皮的活力。也让作品感觉更有趣、更有个性。亚洲美学似乎在滑板艺术中成了一座天然桥梁。看到人们对这种混合产生积极的反应，感觉很酷。
The Japanese influence mainly comes through in my approach. I’ve always admired how Japanese artists stylise traditional motifs using clean lines and their own unique twist. That way of thinking really inspires me. I try to keep my line work clean and strip away anything unnecessary. There’s also a calmness I appreciate in Japanese art. Quite a number of people mention they think I’m based in Japan when they notice those subtle influences in my paintings.
日本的影响主要体现在我的创作手法上。我一直很欣赏日本艺术家用简洁的线条和自己独特的方式将传统图案风格化。
这种思维方式确实启发了我。我尽量保持线条简洁，剔除多余的东西。日本艺术中还有一种我很欣赏的平静。很多人都说，当他们注意到我画作中所受到的微妙影响时，会认为我在日本定居。
🎙️ That’s interesting—almost all your characters are in skull form! What’s the story behind that?
The skull graphics by VCJ and Jim Phillips really stuck with me. They were some of the iconic designs I saw growing up, so when I got back into skateboarding, it felt natural to bring that influence into my drawings. Plus, skulls just look cool on a t-shirt.
🎙️ 那很有趣，尤其是所有人物基本都以骷髅头形式出现。
VCJ（Vernon Courtlandt Johnson）和 Jim Phillips 设计的骷髅图案让我难以忘怀。它们是我成长过程中看到的一些标志性设计。所以当我重拾滑板运动时，很自然地就把这种影响带进了我的绘画中。另外，骷髅头印在 T 恤上很酷。
The skull monk in my work is my take on Ghost Rider, but his thing is kung fu and skateboarding. It’s pretty absurd, a skull monk skating in a temple. He’s meant to skate and train forever. I like to keep things humorous and playful, and I hope that energy shows through in my drawings.
我作品中的骷髅和尚是我对 “恶灵骑士”的模仿，但他的特长是功夫和滑板。一个骷髅和尚在寺庙里滑板，这太荒诞了。他注定要永远滑板和修行。我喜欢保持幽默和俏皮的风格，我希望这种活力能在我的画作中体现出来。
🎙️ How does skateboarding influence or inspire your painting process?
Skateboarding keeps me in a young, playful mindset that helps me stay curious when I’m creating art. The community is full of creative people doing their own thing, and that energy naturally influences how I work. It’s also given my art a clear direction and sense of identity.
Whenever I hit a creative block, a relaxed skate session with friends usually helps clear my mind and reset.
🎙️ 除此外，滑板是如何影响你，或为绘画带来灵感的？
滑板让我始终保持一种年轻、好玩的心态，这有助于我在进行艺术创作时保持好奇心。滑板社区里有很多富有创造力的人在做自己的事情，这种活力自然会影响我的创作方式。这也为我的艺术创作提供了明确的方向和认同感。
每当我遇到创作瓶颈时，与朋友们一起轻松地滑板通常能帮助我理清思绪，重新出发。
🎙️ Why did you choose the “fish” element for this Vision project?
When I heard about Vision’s annual highest ollie competition, it reminded me of the Chinese legend about the fish that swims upstream and leaps over the dragon gate. It’s a story about pushing through challenges and reaching your full potential through effort and perseverance. I thought that matched the spirit of the ollie comp, so I ran with the idea and painted a huge psycho fish. Figured it’d be fun to throw in some chaos and madness to shake up the old folklore.
🎙️ 这次为 Vision 的创作，为什么用了“鱼”的元素?
当我听说 Vision 要举办年度最高 ollie 比赛时，让我想起了中国的 “鲤鱼跃龙门”传说。这是一个关于克服挑战，通过努力和毅力充分发挥潜能的故事。我觉得这与 ollie 比赛的精神一致，所以我就有了这个想法，画了一条巨大的很帅的鱼。我想，加入一些混乱和疯狂的元素来唤醒古老的民间传说会很有趣。
🎙️ Did you have any previous connection with Vision? After this collaboration, do you feel the brand has changed in any way?
This was my first time working with them. When I visited the Vision Street Wear store in Shanghai, it was clear that they’ve stayed true to their roots. The bold graphics and signature design language from back in the day are still front and center. That original spirit definitely feels intact, and the iconic logo is still holding it down.
🎙️ 你之前与 Vision 有什么渊源吗？
这是我第一次与他们合作。当我参观 Vision Street Wear 在上海的店面时，我明显感觉到他们一直在坚守自己的根基。大胆的图案和标志性的设计语言依然是品牌的核心。这种原创精神给人原汁原味的感觉，而经典的标准也依然保持着它的风格。
🎙️ How was Go Skateboarding Day in Shanghai? Was this your first time visiting the city?
Yeah, it was my first time visiting Shanghai! The skate scene was buzzing with good energy, and everyone I met was really welcoming. Even when it rained on the event day, the spirit of unity kept everyone going strong, and the event went on. Definitely left me wanting to come back and explore the city more.
🎙️ 上海的滑板日活动怎么样？这也是你第一次来上海吗？
是的，这是我第一次来上海！滑板场面非常热闹，我遇到的每个人也都很热情。即使活动当天下起一阵大雨，但团结的精神还是让每个人都坚持了下来，活动也继续进行。这次活动让我对上海有了更多的向往。
🎙️ Which skateboarding brand was your very first collaboration, and which brands have you worked with since then?
My first board graphic was with Real Skateboards in 2016, for Dennis Busenitz and Ishod Wair.
🎙️ 第一次与你合作的滑板品牌是谁，后来还和谁合作过？我的第一个滑板品牌设计工作是 2016 年与 Real Skateboards 合作的，为 Dennis Busenitz 和 Ishod Wair 设计职业签名板。
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with Real a few more times, as well as Element, Mob Griptape, Vans, and G-SHOCK.
从那以后，我又有机会与 Real 合作了几次，还有 Element、Mob Griptape、G-SHOCK 等等。
🎙️ Is there any brand you’d love to collaborate with but haven’t had the chance to yet?
I’ve done graphics for skateboards and snowboards, so surfboards feel like the next fun canvas to explore. I don’t surf, so I’m not too familiar with surf brands, but it’s still a board sport, and I’ve always been drawn to that whole world. If the vibe feels right and the people are cool, I’d definitely be keen to collaborate.
🎙️ 还有什么你很想合作，但还没有机会的品牌吗哈哈哈。
我为滑板和滑雪板设计过，所以冲浪板感觉是下一个值得探索的有趣画布。我不冲浪，所以对冲浪品牌不太熟悉，但我一直被这个世界所吸引。如果感觉不错，人也很酷，我肯定会热衷于合作。
🎙️ Your art goes beyond illustration—you’ve also made incense burners, ceramic cups, clothing, and more. What other mediums are you excited to explore?
I’d love to explore making toys or figurines someday. One of the most surreal moments so far was seeing my art projected huge during GSD at the Bund with Vision. I watched it from a boat and got goosebumps. That experience made me excited to keep experimenting with different mediums and scales.
🎙️ 但你的艺术形式不只有插画，你还有很多实体艺术，比如香炉，陶瓷杯，衣服等等，还有什么形式是你想继续探索的？
我希望有一天能探索制作玩具或塑像。迄今为止，最超现实的时刻之一就是 GSD 期间在外滩看到我的艺术作品被投射到巨大的屏幕上。
我从船上看到时，浑身起鸡皮疙瘩。这次经历让我对继续尝试不同的媒介和尺度感到兴奋。
🎙️ You’ve been updating your portfolio frequently—what keeps your creative drive going?
Honestly, I always feel like I could be doing more. Editing reels and picking the right track can take up so much time. But seeing other people putting out cool stuff really keeps me motivated.
That energy rubs off. Traveling helps too. By just being in a new place and seeing different things gives me a fresh boost of inspiration.
🎙️ 你一直在高频输出新的作品，是什么让你的创作动力源源不断？
老实说，我总觉得自己可以做得更多。编辑 reels 和挑选合适的曲目会占用很多时间。但看到其他人推出很酷的作品，真的让我充满动力。这种能量会迸发出来。
旅行也很有帮助。只要到一个新的地方，看到不同的东西，就能给我带来新的灵感。
🎙️ You still paint using traditional brushes and rice paper. What’s so special about working with these materials?
After leaving my design job about 8 years ago, I naturally shifted towards more traditional tools like brush, sumi ink, and rice paper. I think I just needed a different kind of connection with my work. There’s a rhythm to using these materials that feels grounding, and flipping through a stack of drawings feels a lot more personal than scrolling through files.
🎙️ 你仍然使用传统的画笔和宣纸作画。这些材料有什么特别之处？
大约 8 年前离开设计工作后，我自然而然地转向更传统的工具，比如毛笔、墨汁和宣纸。我只是觉得需要与我的作品建立一种不一样的联系。使用这些材料有一种节奏感，让人感到踏实，翻阅一摞纸比滚动浏览电子文件更有个人风格。
🎙️ Are there any new projects you can share? Maybe a new exhibition on the way?
There’s something exciting planned for 2026, but I’m not quite ready to talk about it yet. Don’t mean to be mysterious! In the meantime, I might be doing a small show at a friend’s café later this year, so keep an eye out!
🎙️ 未来有什么新项目可以透露吗，也许是下一个展览？
2026 年有一些令人兴奋的计划，但我还没准备好谈论它。请保持神秘！同时，今年晚些时候我可能会在朋友的咖啡馆举办一个小型展览，请留意！
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