A Filipina student based in Abu Dhabi has recently captured the hearts of netizens with her unique portrait of national treasure, Apo Whang-Od.
Angela de Jesus, 18, who has been living in the UAE for the past five years, has shared her paper quilling portrait of the renowned last mambabatok (traditional tattoo artist) in Kalinga, Apo Whang-Od. She used Windsor & Newton cartridge pad, Fabriano construction paper, and white glue to create her stunning masterpiece—which took a month and a half to finish, working for six to eight hours a day.
“Originally before COVID-19 (coronavirus disease), my parents planned to go to Europe to celebrate my 18th birthday and for me to get a tattoo, but, since the trip got cancelled, kailangan namin magstay sa bahay to be safe. Then, doon ko narealize na, ‘why not create something related to tattoos?’,” de Jesus told The Filipino Times.
She then decided to create a portrait of the traditional tattoo artist as a tribute to her cultural significance to Philippine arts.
“The person on my work is Apo Whang-od Oggay, she is a traditional tattooist for the headhunters in the Philippines. She is 103 years old and is considered to be the last of her kind,” she said in her Facebook post.
“Nag-start ako mag paper quilling back in March this year para sa project ko sa Arts. Then, doon nagtuloy-tuloy yung interest ko,” said de Jesus, who has been painting since 2013,” she added.
She added that art helps her cope with today’s situation, as it serves as her therapy from the toxic news she sees every day on the social media.
“So, instead na magbabad ako sa Facebook, Twitter, o Instagram, gumagawa na lang ako ng artworks para mag-improve ako,” she added.
De Jesus’s artworks can also be seen on her Instagram at @angeluh._x
SEE ALSO: ARTISTS IN THE MAKING: These kids reflect true Filipino talent with extraordinary painting skills
