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Philippines

Biñan leaf artist creates BTS artwork from a coconut leaf

Philippines

Biñan leaf artist creates BTS artwork from a coconut leaf

By Carla Bauto Deña

BIÃ‘AN, Laguna - Leaf artist Mary Mae Aguilo Dacanay wowed netizens with her latest masterpiece featuring the members of South Korean boy band BTS.

MM Dacanay / MANILA BULLETIN

According to the 24-year-old artist, she created the artwork after watching the group's music video for their Ed Sheeran collaboration song, Permission to Dance, which included sign language in its dance choreography.

"Na-inspire ako na sila ang gawan ko ng leaf art kasi they are supporting diversity and equality (I was inspired to make a leaf art for them because they are supporting diversity and equality)," Dacanay told the Manila Bulletin on Friday (July 16).

Dacanay says creating her latest artwork was extra challenging. Unlike her previous works made from single pieces of wide leaves from kamansi (breadnut) or langka (jackfruit) trees, she used a coconut leaf for the BTS masterpiece.

It took her a whole day of carving the narrow leaflets with a scalpel to sculpt the face of each boy band member.

Because of the project's complexity, it's one of her favorite masterpieces so far, along with a Last Supper leaf art she created in March.

MM Dacanay / MANILA BULLETIN

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