For us at Falken we are constantly surrounded by tyres, so when we come across people who challenge the way the world views tyres, well, we get a little excited.
Korean-born Yong Ho Ji is someone who challenges the norm. He takes recycled tyres and creates them into magnificent sculptures. Sculptures ranging from endangered animals through to mythical beasts. Each piece is hand cut to form a layered creature usually supported by a steel framework.
Ho Ji credits his work to his fascination with mutants. He takes the idea of gruesome mutants as pieces of art, and still somehow gives them a vulnerable nature. It’s clear to us that to create such a life-like sculpture from a ready-made piece of material takes great skill, patience and one hell of an imagination.
‘Bull man 4’ – made of tyre, steel and synthetic resin
While Ho Ji’s art is one of a kind and unique, his talent is not without the years of hard study. He completed his BFA in sculptures from the Hongik University of Seoul, before later moving on to the New York University to complete his MFA in fine arts. Talent and brains!
What appeals to us is not only his use of tyres, but also the illusion-like games his art plays on us. At first it’s a lion, then it’s a lion with a human face staring right back at you. Each art sculpture definitely has its own story, buried deep within Ho Ji’s mind.
‘Lion woman’ – made of tyre and synthetic resin
We are definitely loving his artwork and suggest you view more from his website (link). For now, here’s to hoping one day our office is complete with the only shark we wouldn’t mind swimming above us: one made of tyres.
‘Shark 13’ – made of tyre and synthetic resin
Any other cool works of art we should check out made from everyday materials?
Reference: Yong Ho Ji, yonghoji.com.