Partner Shop
Explore Simon Lam’s remarkable work, “Bond from Above,” a tribute that captures the essence of Gundam Unicorn’s storytelling.
Spotlight on the Artist
Simon Lam, known on Instagram as chessymonkey, is not just any modeler; he’s the 11th champion of the Gunpla Builders World Cup (GBWC) 2023. His awe-inspiring entry, titled Bond from Above, is a stunning scratch-built representation of a pivotal moment from the Gundam Unicorn series, showcasing Banagher Links saving Audrey Burne from a perilous fall.
A Masterpiece of Scratch Building and Kitbashing
What sets Simon’s creation apart is the TOLRO-800 “Torohachi”, an impressive labor unit from Gundam Unicorn. However, this large-scale model doesn’t exist commercially; Simon crafted it entirely from scratch, combining elements from various kits with exceptional artistry.
Upon a closer look, you’ll notice parts sourced from the Perfect Grade (PG) RX-78-2 Gundam and tracks from the Master Grade (MG) Guntank. This unique blend highlights Simon’s innovative repurposing skills, as he meticulously recreated the emotional moment of Banagher and Mineva holding hands. The overall composition resembles a scene straight out of an anime, infused with an unprecedented level of realism.
An Insightful Interview with Simon Lam
Simon is passionate about capturing those first encounter moments in Gundam stories, which bring a dramatic flair and highlight character interactions. His previous work in the Encounter series focused predominantly on mobile suits. However, with Bond from Above, he shifted his focus to the human aspect, showcasing an emotional connection that resonates with viewers.
The objective? To ensure the audience felt the weight of Banagher and Mineva’s relationship, positioning the Torohachi as a supporting backdrop to frame their poignant moment. Simon successfully achieved this vision, placing human emotions at the forefront.
Overcoming Challenges in Figure Sculpting
One of the most daunting aspects Simon encountered was sculpting human figures at a 1:20 scale. High-quality humanoid figures aren’t typically within the realm of Gunpla builders, making this task even tougher. Understanding the need for precision, Simon dedicated nearly a year to mastering miniature sculpting, painting, and figure-making before even touching the Gunpla components.
His approach began with crafting Banagher and Mineva, ensuring their expressions and body language truly conveyed the scene’s intensity. By prioritizing these figures, he confidently built the rest of the diorama around them, pushing his creative boundaries.
Innovative Techniques and Kitbashing Approach
Scratch-building was essential for Simon, as many necessary parts simply aren’t included in Bandai’s official Gunpla offerings. Surprisingly, he found kitbashing to be even more challenging than scratch-building. With GBWC regulations mandating a significant portion of the entry be derived from official kits, he painstakingly sifted through over 10,000 Gunpla parts to reshuffle them into entirely new forms.
Instead of keeping the parts in their original state, Simon loves to reimagine them. “It’s a puzzle for the viewer to decipher,” he says, emphasizing the thrill of having experienced builders recognize components in unexpected forms.
Painting and Finishing: A Handcrafted Masterpiece
Given the focus on character interaction, Simon opted for an organic painting technique over traditional airbrushing. Each aspect of the build was meticulously brush-painted using water-based acrylics. This method allowed him to achieve meticulous control over shading and textures.
Simon’s process also had another hurdle: he couldn’t find decals suitable for 1:20 scale Gunpla-style markings. Instead, he chose to freehand every detail—warnings, patterns, and signs—ensuring that his artistic vision was perfectly aligned with the build.
What’s Next for Simon Lam?
Simon’s love for Gunpla extends far beyond competition; he embraces all facets of model-making. Constantly on the lookout for new challenges, he continuously refines his skills.
Excitingly, during the GBWC World Final ceremony, Simon mentioned his next dream project: the Psycho Gundam Mk-II. To his delight, Bandai announced the release of a new version this year, prompting Simon to envision his next monumental build centered around this iconic Gundam.
Final Thoughts
Simon Lam’s Bond from Above is more than just a winning entry; it’s a testament to the creativity, hard work, and passion thriving within the Gunpla community. By blending scratch-building, kitbashing, and freehand painting, he elevates model-making to a whole new level.
As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, Simon’s artistry reminds us that Gunpla is a storytelling medium. His ability to sculpt, paint, and compose a scene that feels straight out of the anime is nothing short of inspiring. The Gundam community eagerly anticipates his next masterpiece.
- What inspired Simon to create “Bond from Above”? Simon aimed to highlight the emotional bond between Banagher and Mineva, showcasing human connection in Gundam storytelling.
- How long did it take Simon to create this model? Simon dedicated nearly a year to mastering techniques in miniature sculpting and figure-making before starting the actual project.
- What challenges did Simon face while modeling? The intricate details required for human figures at a 1:20 scale posed significant challenges, pushing him to expand his skill set.
- What painting techniques did Simon use? He chose to use brush-painting with water-based acrylics for precision in shading, texture, and color variations.
- What’s Simon’s next project? Excited about the Psycho Gundam Mk-II, Simon plans to explore this iconic model as his next major challenge.
