Saskia Fernando Gallery Makes History with Invitation to Frieze Masters London to Present Sri Lankan Modernist Dr. H.A. Karunaratne.
By: Thasmina Sookoor
Saskia Fernando Gallery has achieved a landmark moment for Sri Lankan art and the wider South Asian cultural landscape with an invitation from the prestigious Frieze Masters London to present the work of renowned Sri Lankan artist Dr. H.A. Karunaratne (1929 to 2026). The presentation marks the first dedicated global art fair exhibition of the Estate of the late Dr. H.A. Karunaratne and the first occasion that a Sri Lankan gallery has been invited to exhibit at Frieze Masters, one of the world's most influential art fairs. The exhibition will feature a selection of works produced between 1950 and 1970 and will be presented within the fair's Spotlight section, which is dedicated to under recognised artists and new scholarship on twentieth century art.
Curated by Dr. Devika Singh and Dr. Sofia Gotti, the Spotlight section seeks to challenge established art historical narratives by introducing audiences to artists whose contributions have not received adequate international recognition. Dr. Karunaratne's inclusion represents a major milestone for Sri Lankan modernism and positions his work within a global conversation on the evolution of abstract art. The exhibition also marks only the second time a Sri Lankan artist has been featured at Frieze Masters. The late photographer and artist Lionel Wendt was presented at the fair in 2014. Dr. Karunaratne's participation further strengthens Sri Lanka's presence on one of the world's foremost platforms for historical and modern art.
Widely revered as the Father of Abstract Art in Sri Lanka, Dr. H.A. Karunaratne built an extraordinary six-decade career that bridged Sri Lankan artistic traditions with international modernist movements. His work developed a unique visual language that combined the expressive intensity of American Abstract Expressionism with the contemplative principles of Zen Buddhist philosophy. Dr. Karunaratne's international outlook was shaped by prestigious academic opportunities that placed him at the heart of global artistic developments. In 1961, he received a Japanese Government Scholarship to study at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, where he deepened his engagement with Japanese aesthetics and philosophy. Five years later, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to the Pratt Institute in New York, exposing him to the energy and experimentation of the American avant garde.
As both artist and academic, Dr. Karunaratne played a transformative role in shaping Sri Lanka's contemporary art scene. A revered professor at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, he influenced generations of artists and helped establish abstract art as a serious and intellectually rigorous field of artistic practice in Sri Lanka. His contribution to art and education earned him Sri Lanka's prestigious Kala Suri honour as well as Japan's Order of the Rising Sun. Today, his works are held in leading public collections around the world, including the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi and major museums in Osaka, Kamakura and Hayama in Japan. His legacy is increasingly recognised as one of the defining contributions to modern art in South Asia.
Frieze Masters is internationally respected for its curatorial rigour, historical scholarship and sophisticated art market ecosystem. The fair has become one of the most important platforms for presenting historically significant works to leading museums, collectors and scholars. Through its emphasis on contextual validation, rigorous provenance and scholarly research, and real time engagement with global audiences, Frieze Masters plays an influential role in shaping the international art market. For Sri Lanka, participation at this level offers an unprecedented opportunity to position the country's modernist achievements alongside internationally celebrated artists and movements. It also represents a significant step towards elevating the visibility and market presence of Sri Lankan art on the global stage.
The presentation of Dr. Karunaratne's work has been made possible through a strategic partnership with LYNEAR Wealth Management. The collaboration reflects an innovative approach that recognises investment grade fine art as a transparent and regulated cross border asset class while simultaneously supporting cultural preservation and artistic legacy. The exhibition will focus on Dr. Karunaratne's pre 1980 abstract works, particularly those that demonstrate his fascination with materiality and his exploration of the dynamic relationship between fabric and metal. These works are considered among the most significant examples of his artistic practice and provide important insights into the evolution of his ideas and techniques.
Nabiha Mohamed, Strategy and Growth at LYNEAR Wealth Management, said the partnership represented an important moment for Sri Lankan art and culture. "LYNEAR Wealth Management is proud to partner with Saskia Fernando Gallery in supporting the presentation of Dr. H.A. Karunaratne at Frieze Masters 2026. As the first Sri Lankan gallery invited to participate in Frieze Masters, this achievement represents an important moment for Sri Lankan art on the global stage. We are excited to be part of a story that helps bring greater international visibility to Sri Lankan artists, strengthens engagement with collectors, museums and cultural institutions, and contributes to the long-term development of the country's cultural and creative economy," she said.
The project has also received the support of the British High Commission in Sri Lanka as part of broader efforts to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, particularly in high value creative industries.
British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Andrew Patrick, said Frieze Masters provided an exceptional platform for Sri Lanka's artistic achievements. "Frieze Masters is one of the world's leading platforms for historical art, bringing together major galleries, collectors and institutions in London, a global art market hub. Sri Lanka's participation at this level is highly significant. It places the country's modernist tradition within an international context and connects artists such as Dr. H.A. Karunaratne directly with global audiences, institutions and collectors," he said.
He added that the establishment of emerging market modernism as a credible cross border asset class depended on trust, transparency and access to mature markets.
"The United Kingdom plays a central role in this through its strong legal frameworks and deep collector base. Collaboration between galleries, wealth managers and diplomatic partners helps strengthen cultural ties, support market access and ensure high standards of governance," he said.
Saskia Fernando, Founder of Saskia Fernando Gallery, described the invitation to Frieze Masters as a transformative moment for Sri Lankan art history. "For too long, the history of modern art has focused predominantly on Europe and America. This exhibition challenges that narrative by demonstrating that Sri Lanka was also contributing to and shaping the development of modern artistic thought," she said.
She noted that the Estate of the late Dr. H.A. Karunaratne contains an exceptional collection of pre 1980 works that have assumed even greater significance following the artist's passing earlier this year. "Preserved alongside his family's private estate, these works stand as a vital testament to the extraordinary diversity and depth of Sri Lankan visual art. Presenting them at Frieze Masters offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure international recognition for an artist whose contributions deserve a central place within the history of modern art," she said.
Saskia also highlighted the profound influence Dr. Karunaratne had on generations of artists in Sri Lanka and across the region. "The 1960s marked a pivotal shift in Sri Lanka's artistic trajectory, and Dr. Karunaratne was at the centre of that transformation. Neither before nor since has the subcontinent produced an artist whose practice was so deeply informed by both Abstract Expressionism and Zen Buddhist philosophy. His influence on contemporary art remains unmatched."
As the global art world increasingly turns its attention towards previously overlooked histories and artistic movements, the presentation of Dr. H.A. Karunaratne at Frieze Masters London represents more than a historic first. It is a powerful affirmation of Sri Lanka's place within the international history of modern art and a significant step towards ensuring that one of the country's most important artistic pioneers receives the global recognition his remarkable legacy deserves.
