Hyper-Realistic Rubber: Tire Sculpture by Yong Ho Ji

Whenever I take road trips, I often notice the hulking shreds of stripped semi tires laying around, and I’ve always thought two things: one, they look almost organic- like they’re actually the carcasses of some prehistoric animal that blundered its way onto the highway, and two- that that animal must have been damn ugly. But when I saw a tire sculpture by Yong Ho Ji the other day, I realized I was pretty wrong about the hideous part. He reassembles strips of old tires with resins and screws into gorgeous creatures with predatory stances and sinuous movement.

Hyper-Realistic Rubber: Tire Sculpture by Yong Ho Ji

We love our cars, so seeing tires re-purposed after their regular lifespan into perfect manly sculptures is totally bad ass. It’s the macho trifecta: hang one of these rubber animal busts on the wall, and you get the appearance of being an awesome trophy hunter without actually killing any animals, you’re saving the planet by recycling, and your sculpture isn’t some sissy flowers or soapstone carved by a three year old. Look at that rhino; he wouldn’t think twice about goring you, but it’s his head on the wall, not yours. Clearly, you are a primal alpha male hunter, and those don’t get to be awesome at stabbing animals to death because they own a collection of adorable kitten statuettes.