A massive cat sculpture made of fallen leaves became a viral sensation in eastern China.

The cool video was filmed in the city of Nantong in Jiangsu Province on December 9.

A gigantic cat sculpture standing more than 3 metres tall and 2 metres wide has captured the hearts of locals and netizens alike, becoming an instant hit on social media. This unique creation, crafted from fallen leaves, is the brainchild of designer Ge Duo.

Most of the leaves used in this magnificent sculpture are plane tree leaves collected by Ge Duo, supplemented by those sent from well-wishers across the country. People have written their New Year's wishes on these leaves, turning the artwork into a special 'New Year gift' as 2024 approaches.

About a month ago, Ge Duo conceptualised this project. After selecting the perfect location, he initiated an online campaign to collect the leaves. Actual construction began on December 9th. Ge Duo coordinated with the local culture, broadcast, and tourism bureau, receiving their full support for this smooth-running initiative.

For the construction process, Ge Duo first used a foam core to shape the cat, outlining its contours before painstakingly attaching the leaves. The sculpture soon became a local spectacle, drawing students from nearby schools and passers-by who stopped to admire and participate in the creation.

Participants eagerly wrote their wishes on the leaves, ranging from health and happiness to academic success and prosperity. Invited by Ge Duo, people shared their hopes for the new year, creating a communal spirit around the sculpture.

As the year draws to a close, Ge Duo's innovative project has stirred the hearts of many overseas Chinese, sparking a sense of nostalgia and longing for home. Numerous international students have reached out to him, sending leaves from foreign lands to be included in the sculpture, intertwining their sentiments of homesickness and New Year aspirations with this artistic endeavour.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

最近，江苏南通市区的一只“巨无霸猫咪”火了，这只大“猫咪”高3米多，宽约两米，成了当地的网红打卡地。这只“猫咪”由落叶制作而成，出自设计师葛多之手。这些树叶，大部分是他收集的梧桐叶，也有来自全国各地网友寄来的落叶。大家在叶片上写下新年心愿，给这个作品赋予了更深的含义，“马上2024年就要来临了，这是由大家一起完成的特殊的‘新年礼物’。”
“大概是在一个多月前就有了构思，后来确定了摆放的位置，在线上征集，收集落叶，实际开始动工是在12月9日。我也提前跟本地的文广旅局沟通过，整个过程很顺利，他们也很支持。”葛多说。
对于制作过程，葛多先是用泡沫芯进行塑形，给“猫咪”勾勒出轮廓，然后在此基础上粘贴落叶。周围学校的学生和过往路人也被这一幕吸引，纷纷驻足观看。
“希望身体健康！”“天天开心，逢考必过！”“日进斗金！”在葛多的邀请下，大家在落叶上写下自己的新年心愿。
时至岁末，葛多的这个创意也勾起了许多海外游子“落叶归根”的乡思。他说，多个身处不同国家的留学生给他发来信息，将异乡的落叶寄给他，希望能将自己的这份乡思和新年心愿融入作品。