An artist makes intricate leather carvings using cow skin in Thailand.

Talented Weera Memuan, 79, prepares his canvass by drying cowhide and buffalo skin under the sun in his home in Ang Thong province.

When the thick leather is ready, he will draw the beautiful images using a pen and marker before carving out every detail using a sharp tool.

The carved leather is painted with bright colours to better depict the story of the Indian epic Ramayana, his favourite subject.

Weera said: ‘I am telling different stories from different cultures but with a Thai touch.

‘I would love to see the art that our elders have created. I'm the successor of Nang Yai entertainment and I look forward to preserving the tradition.'

The leather uses a perforated sheet of cowhide in the shape of a character in Ramayana, and a wooden stick is attached to both sides to keep the leather upright. The rod extends down under the leather on both sides for holding and lifting.

Nang Yai is a form of Thai shadow play narrated songs, chants, and music.

Some of his work can be found at the Kudi Salaidhon Museum.