Taras Yoom, a multidisciplinary artist based in Bangkok, defines his style as biomorphic surrealism, blending his background in medicine with a deep exploration of nature and the human condition.
Have you ever encountered an object so striking that it made you stop in awe? For me, it was a chair. Well, not just a chair — it was the Long Chair – one of Taras Yoom’s extraordinary creations, where organic forms, science fiction, and futuristic dreams seamlessly merge.
With works in the permanent collections of The Chicago Athenaeum and The Red Dot Design Museum Xiame; It was through the Yoomoota Universe, a parallel realm reflecting body and mind, that Yoom earned his internatinal acclaim.
As someone who also worked in the medical field as a nurse before shifting my focus to championing young designers, I was especially intrigued by Yoom’s journey; What drives someone to leave the stability of medicine for the boundless possibilities of experimentalcreation? How does his medical background shape his creative vision?
Join me in conversation with Taras Yoom — a designer, a researcher, and perhaps, a doctor of objects — as he prepares to showcase his work at TAAD.
First, I gotta get this off my chest — what’s the story behind the Inflated Ass Chair?
The name is rather ironic within the Yoomoota universe. Inflated Ass has a fascinating backstory — it’s a predatory plant from Paradise Planet, a realm of imagined pleasures, a tropical sanctuary where almost every living being falls into an unconscious state, liberated to create anything they desire.
But there’s a catch. Once you sit on it, you can no longer get up. It drains your energy or nourishes you, depending on your own nature. In an instant, you might find yourself trapped in eternal chains of pleasure. If you wish to keep such a plant in your home, you must develop self-discipline and patience to resist its charms. But believe me, it’s always worth trying instead of just admiring it from afar.
What inspired you to develop the Yoomoota universe, and what core human themes do your work explore?
Yoomoota has always been a part of me. My inclination toward art has been present since childhood, albeit subconsciously. The turning point came during medical school, where I studied to become a pediatrician. I took notes through drawings, illustrating transformations of different states. I realized I wanted to communicate something fantastically magical — whether through science or art. Science felt like a lonely path, so I chose art because I didn’t want to be alone.
I believe this choice marked the beginning of Yoomoota — it became a space for self-education and discovery, a realm of continuous exploration. Today, it stands at the intersection of art and design, reflecting our inner lives, thoughts, and connections. I often explain that each character or object in my work represents our bodies and minds, embodying various aspects of humanity and our relationship with the world.
One question I’m particularly curious about: How has your background in medicine and biophysics influenced your approach to design and art? Do you see any overlaps between these fields?
I believe it has influenced nearly every aspect of my creative process. One of the brightest examples is the Orginion Planet within the Yoomoota Universe, which is made up of characters representing various parts of our body. For instance, the Lymphochair reflects the shape of the key cells of the immune system — lymphocytes. The seat area is designed in a spherical form, ensuring ergonomic comfort.
The greatest overlap between these two fields lies in the final result. As the saying goes, “A healthy mind in a healthy body.” Art engages with the spirit of a person, initiating a deeper process that can lead to well-being, improved quality of life, recovery, inspiration, love, and ultimately, life itself. Art has the power to bring life to life.
Is there a particular creation or character in the Yoomoota universe that reflects you? If so, could you share its story?
If anything, I would say Pillman — a character who embodies the essence of hypochondria — reflects aspects of myself, as I often find myself preoccupied with concerns about my health. My creations are more than just representations of how I see the world; they serve as spaces for my thoughts, reflections, and analyses.
Which artists or thinkers have had the greatest impact on your work?
Leonardo da Vinci played a significant role in shaping my perspective, especially with his contributions to medical history. His anatomical sketches and cross-sectional studies of the human body are remarkable, but what impacted me most were his drawings of a fetus in the womb, flying machines, and bird anatomy. His relentless curiosity pushed him to experiment across multiple disciplines, leading to groundbreaking discoveries.
Your work incorporates a range of materials and techniques. What guides your creative process?
I don’t adhere to a specific material or technique — I let each piece dictate what it needs. Conveying the core idea is essential, which is why I favor pliable materials like plastic. These materials respond to human touch, allowing alterations in weight, shape, and structure.
I also work with wood, metal, marble, and precious metals, always respecting the natural history of each material. This continuous exploration has led him into advanced 3D printing, likening it to how sculptors once mastered marble.
How do you see Yoomoota evolving as it expands globally?
Yoomoota is steadily expanding worldwide, extending its reach from Asia to Europe and the United States. In the past year, it has gained recognition at international fairs, particularly in collectible design, and I see a great potential in its growth in fine art.
Among the works already released in 2025, I just unveiled my first jewelry collection, titled Cyber Zombie — It reimagines the Frankenstein figure, exploring potential scenarios for our future.
It’s important for me to integrate Yoomoota into various areas of life through collaborations — such as in fashion, lifestyle, real estate, and even medicine. I have a vast number of concepts I would like to bring to life. One of the most ambitious is an architectural project where I designed a concept for an apartment hotel in the style of the Yoomoota universe. This is an exploration of an entirely new level of spatial architecture, visual and technological innovation, which in many ways rethinks the legacy of Antoni Gaudí.
Before we wrap up, do you have any advice for young and emerging designers?
One of the most essential pieces of advice for artists and designers is to fully immerse yourself in both knowledge and emotion, so you’re never searching for inspiration. Engage with the world in every possible way, and your understanding will naturally reflect in your work.
