Arts
Canvas of memories
One’s wedding day is something special and many aspire to do something different to make it a memorable occasion. This is where Asanka Sanjaya comes in. Asanka draws portraits of couples on their wedding day so that they have an enduring memory for the years ahead.
Does having a wedding portrait drawn sound a bit unusual? Asanka agrees, but says it’s something which is gaining ground. “People like the fact that this is something new and unique and this makes them very interested,” he says. The portraits are done using soft pastels after the official ceremony is over. Asanka usually takes 1 ½ to 2 hours to complete a 3×2 feet portrait, but the couple is free to move around and take part in the festivities even during this time. “I’m only doing something that’s a small feature of the wedding so I don’t expect them to stay still for that long,” he says. He also adds that drawing a portrait isn’t something which only the couple enjoys because the guests at the wedding are also intrigued by the process.
A student at the University of Visual and Performing Arts, Asanka has been into art ever since he can remember and says his mother’s encouragement is what has made him pursue it as a career. He credits his passion as the driving force behind his work.
Given the response to his wedding portraits, Asanka is hopeful it will grow more popular. A 3X2 feet wedding portrait usually costs Rs. 10,000.
Pix by Indika Handuwala
Asanka can be contacted on 071 2574288 or 0777321479. He can also be found on Facebook under the name Asanka Gihan Sanjaya.