These old tyre sculptures created by Korean artist Yong Ho Ji are next level. Created from shreds of old tyres, Yong Ho Ji’s art features larger-than-life creatures, mythical beasts, human-animal hybrids and ferocious animal species. Some of these old tyre sculptures are up to 9 feet high! Especially impressive given that tyres aren’t the easiest material to work with.

The concept behind Yong Ho Ji’s old tyre sculptures is “strong living things”. His intention is to convey creatures verging on the mutated. He uses tyres as his medium as he believes it conveys the message of being both soft and powerful.

In order to create his old tyre sculptures, Yong Ho Ji begins by creating the frame or skeleton. Depending on the creature he is creating; he uses iron, wood or tempered plastic for the frame. He then fills the form in with soil.

For the various parts of the creatures’ bodies, Yong Ho Ji uses different types of tyres. On his old tyre sculptures, 3 types of tyres can be used for the face alone. For example, softer bicycle tyres are used for the cheeks while rougher mountain bike tyres define the nose. For the chin he uses motorcycle tyres. The body of the creatures make use of tougher tyres. Yong Ho Ji uses tractor tyres for his creatures’ torsos.

In order to highlight the texture of fur, Yong Ho Ji will meticulously arrange patterned tyres. He will also use worn-out tyres to express muscular tension.

What we really admire about these old tyre sculptures is that they seem to take on a life of their own. Yong Ho Ji admits he has to keep an eye to not lose control of his creatures physically.

“When I created the piece ‘Buffalo’, it was too huge to move out from the workroom, so I had to remove the studio doors completely in order to properly transport it!”

We will be sure to keep an eye out for more of Yong Ho Ji’s incredible old tyre sculptures!

Source: Yong Ho Ji

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