Eye Craft captures the depth and beauty of the human eye, transforming its intricate patterns into striking works of art.
Words: Jennifer Paldano Goonewardane.
Eyes are often described as the most expressive feature of the human face, serving as a silent language that can tell stories, form connections, and reveal the soul within. But none of us really peer into its depths to see its complexity and its intricate patterns. Helping us to do that in stunning artistic form is Vishwa Nadhira Perera, founder and owner of Eye Craft. His innovative iris photographs transform human eyes into works of art. It’s a call to discover the elegance in the human iris as never seen before.
Launched in June 2025 after over two years of development, Eye Craft was inspired by Vishwa’s observation that there were limited options in the market for meaningful, personalized art pieces with emotional connections to loved ones.
Iris photography has been popular in Europe, where lighter eye colors are naturally visible, but hasn’t been adopted in Southeast Asia due to darker corneas that protect against sunlight. Vishwa’s breakthrough was developing specialized lighting equipment and techniques that reveal the unique patterns and colors in Sri Lankan and Southeast Asian eyes, making Eye Craft the first company to offer this service in the region.
Vishwa explained that many Sri Lankans—and Asians in general—often assume their eyes are plain, believing they lack the striking uniqueness often associated with Caucasian eyes. Vishwa insists that this perception is entirely mistaken. As a result, the uniqueness of our irises is not easily visible in everyday observation. Through Eye Craft’s specialized iris photography and lighting equipment, however, Sri Lankans and Southeast Asians can clearly see the intricate patterns and true colors in their eyes. The images reveal a fascinating range of tones and color patterns, with the most common shades in Sri Lankan irises being burnt orange, teal-orange, and yellow-orange.
The process is delicate and complex—an exercise that requires highly skilled photographers capable of capturing every detail of the iris with equal sharpness and precise lighting to reveal its true colors. Eye Craft offers a range of artistic effects and custom artwork options, including the Dust Effect, Halo Effect, Explosion Effect, Fusion Effect, Infinity Effect, and Pure Effect, that capture the beauty of a single iris or multiple irises combined. While Eye Craft offers a range of signature artwork options, these can also be customized to suit individual client preferences. For instance, a family wishing to capture their irises may prefer each member’s iris to be presented with a distinct artistic style, something the Eye Craft team can create and execute with care. The company also offers a variety of framing options, including wooden and fiber frames, so clients can select a finish that best complements the final artwork.
Eye Craft’s proposition allows families to capture their relationships and bonds in a unique way—not as traditional portraits of themselves, but as portraits of the iris, which is as unique to each human being as a fingerprint. Capturing the eye can be just as exciting and meaningful as creating a family portrait. With Eye Craft’s concept, each family member’s name can be incorporated into the final iris artwork, with frames that feature every family member. Some even choose to incorporate tattoo-inspired designs into the final pieces.
Just imagine how beautiful it would be to have a family portrait in the form of each member’s iris. It is not only distinctive but also reveals an entirely different aspect of a human being and the way they connect with one another. At the same time, it offers a glimpse into a remarkable part of the human body—one we cannot normally see in such detail. Each time we look at it, it inspires a sense of wonder and renews our appreciation for the extraordinary beauty within our eyes. According to Vishwa, client reactions to seeing their irises were truly revealing; they are moments of self-realization where they discover hidden art within their own bodies. Many clients were amazed to learn they had multiple colors or unique patterns in their eyes that they never knew existed. Family portraits reveal how iris patterns are inherited, creating meaningful connections between generations.
Eye Craft’s proposition allows families to capture their relationships and bonds in a unique way—not as traditional portraits of themselves, but as portraits of the iris, which is as unique to each human being as a fingerprint.
Eye Craft operates with a unique mobile setup, becoming the first company in the world to conduct iris photography sessions at clients’ homes. Traditional iris photography typically requires clients to visit large studios equipped with extensive and specialized equipment.
In contrast, Eye Craft’s team captures photographs in the comfort of clients’ homes in just 10–15 minutes and delivers the final artwork within four days. The process maintains 100 percent accuracy of the eye’s natural color and texture, with no digital manipulation of the iris itself—only the background and outer effects are edited to enhance the final presentation. The company provides warranty coverage of up to ten years and one-to-one replacement guarantees. The frames themselves are designed for durability, with an expected lifespan of at least four decades. Eye Craft initially faced the challenge of introducing and selling this unique concept to Sri Lankans. Many had to be convinced that their eyes do indeed possess remarkable color and intricate patterns.
Today, as Eye Craft has gained traction, the company is expanding its offerings to include necklaces, pendants, custom T-shirts, and other jewelry inspired by iris artwork. Eye Craft also aims to contribute to tourism by positioning Sri Lanka as the only destination in Southeast Asia for this distinctive photography experience, while also drawing on the country’s reputation as the world’s largest eye donor nation.
Eye Craft
Robert Gunawardhana Mawatha, Battaramulla;
+94 70 677 6376
eyecraftofficial@gmail.com
eyecraft.lk
