Chinese young artist turns used tires into sculptures

Cao Shengge, 31, is obsessed with the idae of making sculptures with used tires.

Cao returned to his home in Tancun Village of Xingtai in north China's Hebei Province after granduation from college in 2014 and later came up with an idea of turning the waste tires into handicrafts.

He learned all the steps needed in the creation of tire sculptures and after years of engagement, Cao gained the artistic proficiency necessary to create vivid artworks ranging from the Monkey King to the legendary Chinese dragon.

It usually takes Cao more than a month to complete a tire sculpture. Besides artistic creation, Cao also makes homeware from used tires.

Since 2015, Cao Shengge has recycled more than 50 tonnes of used tires to make tire sculptures.

Children watch tire sculptures made by Cao Shengge in Tancun Village of Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province, Aug. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Photo taken on Aug. 10, 2021 shows Cao Shengge making tire sculptures in Tancun Village of Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Aerial photo taken on Aug. 10, 2021 shows Cao Shengge picking materials for making tire sculptures in a pile of used tires in Tancun Village of Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Photo taken on Aug. 10, 2021 shows Cao Shengge cutting used tires in Tancun Village of Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)