'When I do it, I can't stop': 69-year-old gamer-artist finds fulfilment in creating paper mache art

When he was taking care of his ailing mum back in 2015, Simon Tan found a means to pass his time — crafting paper mache art — and it's become a passion of his ever since.

This sexagenarian even become a minor celebrity within some communities and was invited to the Diablo IV launch event in Reality Rift at Bugis+ last Saturday (June 10).

In an interview with AsiaOne at the Diablo IV launch event, this 69-year-old shared how he got into the craft.

"My mum was very sick and needed someone to look after her, so I was thinking that I should," he said.

He explained that he tried out paper mache art then, and even after his mom passed away, he continued crafting new works.

First beginning with a mask, he tried out other creations and has since made many pieces of art, notably a Diablo IV shield and large scythe, as well as other pop culture pieces such as an Iron Man helmet.

His latest masterpiece is a life-sized bust of Lilith, an antagonist in Diablo IV, an action role-playing game with multiplayer elements by Activision Blizzard.

Simon shared: "This one (Lilith bust) took me about six months to do."

He added excitedly: "The horns are made of paper cups, you know? The face is made of paper and cardboard and things like that."

Although he's made many complex pieces of paper mache art, having done them before doesn't make it any easier, he said with a smile.

"Especially the horns, they were quite difficult to make — and the face, of course, is very important… it better look the same [as the original]."

In order to do so, Simon refers to his iPad and computer to find videos that he uses as reference material.

While most of his works are left unpainted, this Lilith bust was masterfully painted by professionals by request of Blizzard.

Speaking of the recognition that he's gotten from Blizzard and the Diablo IV community, he revealed: "I feel good — I've done this for quite a long time already, but there was nobody who really reached out to me."

He expressed his gratitude and added: "I enjoy doing this. When I do it, I can't stop. Once I'm finished with one, I'll start doing another, and another after that."

Simon also said that he's currently working on a new project, although he didn't reveal what it was.

But every undertaking is a challenge to him, he said, also stating that he would keep practising his craft "as long as he can".

Romance forged in 'Hell'

While Simon has furthered his reputation as an artist through Diablo, another individual has advanced something else — his romantic relationship.

Quek Yeow Chong told AsiaOne that gaming and Diablo are inherently linked to the memories he created with his then-girlfriend, now-wife. 

Quek, 39, has played Diablo since its first iteration, which was released at the end of 1996. He's played both Diablo II and III, as well as other Blizzard games.

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Together with his wife, he spent "countless hours" in Diablo III, an experience that he described as being "pretty exciting" and "fulfilling".

"Because when you work together to take down the final boss — that was really something… it was quite an exciting moment when we managed to take it out," he said.

The duo had met each other in another online game and gradually progressed their relationship as they tried out different games.

They even got a virtual marriage in World of Warcraft prior to their marriage in real life — a story that they also shared with Blizzard as part of a competition that they later won second place for.

They tied the knot in 2011 and now have three children aged 11, seven and four.

Although it's difficult to find time to play games now, he tries his best to put in an hour or two every few days, he said, striving to strike a balance between life and gaming.

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"It's not something that's mutually exclusive… I don't think it works that way. You can have a life and you can still game and you can still have these wonderful memories."

He also feels that it's "inevitable" for his kids to be introduced to gaming, so he intends to "model the way" for his children.

Gaming is something that, if not managed properly, can lead to dire consequences, Quek admitted.

However, if parents are able to understand games and how they should help their children manage their time, it should simplify the situation.

In leading by example, he hopes to show his children how to prioritise tasks before delving into games, and how they can't be playing games for too long.

He added: "I really hope that one day people can understand that gaming itself should not have the kind of negative stigmas towards it… I have my own career and I'm doing well. I'm not extremely rich, but I'm getting by and my kids are well taken care of." 

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khooyihang@asiaone.com

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