Cambodian artist turns tyres into giant King Kong

A worker fixing a King Kong statue made with old motorbike and bicycle tyres 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 500 bicycle and motorbike tyres with the hope of encouraging others to reuse materials in their work. - AFP

KANDAL, Cambodia (AFP): A giant, snarling gorilla rears from the peaceful paddy fields on the outskirts of the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, made entirely from old tyres 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.