Saskia Fernando Gallery brings SL master Dr. Karunaratne to Frieze Masters London

In a landmark moment for Sri Lanka’s contemporary art presence on the global stage, Saskia Fernando Gallery has been invited by Frieze Masters London to present the work of celebrated Sri Lankan modernist Dr H.A. Karunaratne (1929–2026).

The presentation will feature a curated selection of works from 1950 to 1970 within the fair’s Spotlight section, which is dedicated to 20th-century solo presentations highlighting under-recognised artists and new research.

This marks the first-ever dedicated global art fair presentation of the Estate of Dr Karunaratne, and the first time a Sri Lankan gallery has been invited to exhibit at Frieze Masters. It also positions Dr Karunaratne as only the second Sri Lankan artist to be featured at the fair, following Lionel Wendt in 2014. The presentation is curated by Dr Devika Singh and Dr Sofia Gotti.

Widely regarded as the “Father of Abstract Art in Sri Lanka,” Dr Karunaratne built a six-decade artistic career that blended American Abstract Expressionism with Zen Buddhist philosophy.

His academic journey included a Japanese Government Scholarship to Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1961 and a Fulbright Award to New York’s Pratt Institute in 1966. In addition to his artistic practice, he was a respected academic and recipient of major honours including Sri Lanka’s Kala Suri title and Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun. His works are held in leading institutions including the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi and major museums in Japan.

Frieze Masters is internationally recognised for its rigorous curatorial framework and emphasis on historical validation, provenance research, and market engagement. Its Spotlight section provides a platform for rediscovering overlooked modern masters and positioning them within global art history narratives. For Sri Lanka, this inclusion represents a significant opportunity to elevate its modernist legacy within an international context and strengthen the visibility of its cultural heritage in global art markets.

The project is supported by LYNEAR Wealth Management, which views fine art as a regulated, investment-grade asset class. According to Nabiha Mohamed, Strategy and Growth at LYNEAR, the collaboration marks an important step in connecting Sri Lankan art with international collectors, institutions, and cultural networks, while supporting the country’s creative economy.

The initiative also receives support from the British High Commission in Sri Lanka as part of broader UK–Sri Lanka cultural and economic engagement. British High Commissioner H.E. Andrew Patrick noted that Frieze Masters is one of the world’s leading platforms for historical art, and Sri Lanka’s participation places its modernist tradition within a global framework, enabling deeper engagement with international audiences, museums, and collectors.