Sometimes art emerges from the most unexpected places, like the charred remains of vintage Porsches transformed by Ben Tuna, a second-generation stained glass artist who’s turning automotive tragedy into pure visual magic.

In a nondescript Glendale warehouse, Tuna is redefining what it means to reclaim and resurrect. His latest project “Resurrection” isn’t about restoring cars, it’s about creating breathtaking art pieces from vehicles destroyed in Los Angeles fires.

A Family Legacy of Glass

Tuna didn’t start out wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps. Despite growing up around Glass Visions Studio, he initially pursued different paths, teaching and special effects at Warner Brothers. But when his father suffered a debilitating stroke in 2020, Ben stepped in to complete a massive Playboy Mansion project, learning the intricate craft of stained glass.

Turning Destruction into Art

Now, Tuna is taking burned-out Porsches and embedding them with centuries-old church glass, creating stunning visual narratives. Each piece features intricate details like seraphim, saints, and delicate color palettes that transform automotive wreckage into sacred artworks. His first pieces will debut at the Motorluxe gala during Monterey Car Week.

The Cost of Creativity

Tuna’s work isn’t just visually stunning, it’s physically demanding. Working with lead-based materials and toxic chemicals, he knows each piece represents a high-stakes creative endeavor where one mistake means starting over. His passion drives him to transform these vehicular casualties into something transcendent, blending automotive history with artistic vision.

As Tuna says, “There are like 50 years of work in these cars, and I’ve only been alive for 30. That is what excites me”.