Cambodian artist makes giant King Kong from tires

This photo taken on November 7, 2023 shows a worker fixing a King Kong statue made with old motorbike and bicycle tires at artist Mean Tithpheap’s house in Kandal province. Cambodian artist Mean Tithpheap has made some 40 statues for clients including King Kongs, elephants, lions, cobras, using bicycle and motorbike tires with the hope of encouraging others to reuse materials in their work. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP)

A giant, snarling gorilla rears from the peaceful paddy fields on the outskirts of the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, made entirely from old tires by a Cambodian artist keen to encourage others to reuse materials in their work.

Mean Tithpheap used 500 bicycle and motorbike tyres to create the 2.5-metre (eight-foot) King Kong over five weeks with two helpers.

The 37-year-old artist, who studied at fine art school in Phnom Penh, has been turning tyres into sculptures for four years.

This photo taken on November 7, 2023 shows a worker fixing a snake statue made with old motorbike and bicycle tires at artist Mean Tithpheap’s house in Kandal province. Cambodian artist Mean Tithpheap has made some 40 statues for clients including King Kongs, elephants, lions, cobras, using bicycle and motorbike tires with the hope of encouraging others to reuse materials in their work. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP)

40 statues for clients

He has made around 40 statues for clients, including King Kongs, elephants, lions, cobras and garudas — a mythical man-bird creature.

Tithpheap said he hoped others would follow his example and put discarded rubber and plastic to creative use so that it does not pollute the environment.

“I have used old tires of bicycles and motorbikes to make such animals because these tires are waste and if we can recycle them, it will help the environment some,” Tithpheap told AFP.

Cambodia faces a huge and growing challenge in waste management, despite some government efforts.

This photo taken on November 7, 2023 shows artist Mean Tithpheap painting a Monkey King statue made with motorbike and bicycle tires at his house in Kandal province. Cambodian artist Mean Tithpheap has made some 40 statues for clients including King Kongs, elephants, lions, cobras, using bicycle and motorbike tires with the hope of encouraging others to reuse materials in their work. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP)

Effective recycling of plastic waste

The population is growing, income and consumption rising, and urbanisation spreading, but waste collection and treatment are not keeping up.

Effective recycling of plastic waste is nearly impossible in Cambodia, where plastic consumption is widespread and and waste management infrastructure is lacking, so waterways and some green sites have become burgeoning heaps of garbage.

Tithpheap charges clients between $2,000 and $3,000 for a King Kong statue — his most popular model — depending on the size.

He is also working on a Captain America statue for a cafe, while the entrance to his workshop is guarded by a giant cobra, also made of tires.