Ice sculptor in Dubai who created a carving of Queen Elizabeth - in pictures

  • Ice sculptor Mark Ranasinghe starts to create a sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II after her death. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ice sculptor Mark Ranasinghe starts to create a sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II after her death. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Creating the outline.
    Creating the outline.
  • Ranasinghe gets stuck in with the drill.
    Ranasinghe gets stuck in with the drill.
  • Many tools are involved in the making of an intricate ice sculpture.
    Many tools are involved in the making of an intricate ice sculpture.
  • The saw comes out.
    The saw comes out.
  • Filling in the details.
    Filling in the details.
  • With ice sculptures you can't afford to make mistakes, Ranasinghe says.
    With ice sculptures you can't afford to make mistakes, Ranasinghe says.
  • A close-up of the detail.
    A close-up of the detail.
  • Birth and death dates are carved into the ice.
    Birth and death dates are carved into the ice.
  • Ranasinghe and his team move the sculpture into place.
    Ranasinghe and his team move the sculpture into place.
  • Members of the public can view the sculpture at Chill Out Ice Lounge in Times Square Centre, Dubai.
    Members of the public can view the sculpture at Chill Out Ice Lounge in Times Square Centre, Dubai.
  • Ranasinghe has created sculptures in ice lounges across Asia, in Dubai, Vietnam and Kuwait.
    Ranasinghe has created sculptures in ice lounges across Asia, in Dubai, Vietnam and Kuwait.
  • Ranasinghe has lived in Dubai for 20 years.
    Ranasinghe has lived in Dubai for 20 years.
  • Ranasinghe creates an ice dragon.
    Ranasinghe creates an ice dragon.
  • One of Ranasinghe's works in Times Square Centre.
    One of Ranasinghe's works in Times Square Centre.
  • Ranasinghe created an under-the-sea theme for the Dubai lounge.
    Ranasinghe created an under-the-sea theme for the Dubai lounge.
  • The underwater theme continues.
    The underwater theme continues.
  • Ranasinghe employs a team of three people at his company, Impulse Creations.
    Ranasinghe employs a team of three people at his company, Impulse Creations.
  • He says ice sculpting can be very difficult because any mistake can ruin the work completely.
    He says ice sculpting can be very difficult because any mistake can ruin the work completely.
  • Assistant Manjula moves a block of ice ready for a new artwork to be carved.
    Assistant Manjula moves a block of ice ready for a new artwork to be carved.
  • The pieces can be very intricate.
    The pieces can be very intricate.