In a historic milestone for the South Asian art ecosystem, Saskia Fernando Gallery was invited by the prestigious Frieze Masters London to present the work of Dr H.A. Karunaratne (1929–2026), featuring works from 1950 to 1970, in the section focusing on 20th-century solo presentations, featuring under-recognised artists and new research. This will be the first dedicated global art fair presentation of the Estate of the late Dr H.A. Karunaratne (1929–2026) and the first time a Sri Lankan gallery has been invited to exhibit at this leading international platform, making Dr Karunaratne the second Sri Lankan artist to be featured at Frieze Masters since Lionel Wendt in 2014. H.A. Karunaratne will be featured in the Frieze Masters Spotlight section curated by Dr Devika Singh and Dr Sofia Gotti.

Revered as the "Father of Abstract Art in Sri Lanka," Dr Karunaratne’s six-decade career combined American Abstract Expressionism with Zen Buddhist philosophies. His academic background includes a 1961 Japanese Government Scholarship to Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and a 1966 Fulbright Award to New York's Pratt Institute. A prominent lecturer, he earned Sri Lanka’s 'Kala Suri' and Japan's 'Order of the Rising Sun.' His masterworks are held in prestigious institutions worldwide, including New Delhi's National Gallery of Modern Art and leading Japanese museums in Osaka, Kamakura, and Hayama.

Frieze Masters is globally recognised for its secondary market and art valuation centres under three pillars: Contextual Validation (Frieze Masters), Provenance and CV Scrutiny, and Real-Time Sentiment Testing. This curatorial excellence and historical scholarship attract the world's leading museums, collectors, and scholars. For Sri Lankan art, this inclusion offers an unprecedented stage to place the nation’s modernist achievements alongside global masters, permanently raising its visibility and market presence.

A strategic partnership with LYNEAR Wealth Management supports the exhibition. This collaboration treats investment-grade fine art as a transparent, regulated cross-border asset class, linking wealth management with cultural preservation. The presentation will feature pre-1980s abstract artworks highlighting the artist’s exploration of materiality and the rhythmic interplay between fabric and metal.

“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,” said Nabiha Mohamed, Strategy and Growth at LYNEAR Wealth Management.

The British High Commission in Sri Lanka supports this project as part of broader UK–Sri Lanka economic and cultural engagement, particularly in high‑value creative sectors. H.E. Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, said: “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 H.A. Karunaratne directly with global audiences, institutions and collectors.”

He added: “Establishing emerging market modernism as a credible cross‑border asset class depends on trust, transparency and access to mature markets. The UK 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.”

"For too long, the history of modern art has only focused on Europe and America. This exhibition changes that by proving Sri Lanka was helping lead the way," said Saskia Fernando, Founder of Saskia Fernando Gallery. "Being invited to the Frieze Masters is the ultimate global stamp of approval, putting Dr Karunaratne's work directly in front of the world's top museums and major international buyers. The Estate of the late Dr H.A. Karunaratne holds a rare collection of pre-1980s works. Preserved alongside his family’s private estate, these pieces have taken on a profound new significance in the year of his passing, serving as a vital testament to the sheer diversity and depth of Sri Lankan visual art. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for buyers to own a true piece of history. By treating his art as both a cultural masterpiece and a highly secure financial investment, we are securing Sri Lanka’s permanent place on the global stage."

Saskia added, “Beyond the country's traditional artistic trajectories, the 1960s marked a pivotal shift heavily influenced by Dr Karunaratne, who served as a revered Professor at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo. His lasting impact on the contemporary art scene remains unmatched. Neither before nor since has the subcontinent seen an artist whose practice was as strongly influenced by Abstract Expressionism and the Zen Buddhist philosophy.”

Frieze Announcement: HE Andrew Patrick, Saskia Fernando, and Mariyam Begum

Photo Captions: Frieze Announcement (L-R): Nabiha Mohamed, Saskia Fernando, HE Andrew Patrick, Mrs. Karunaratne, Sunil Karunaratne, Thilani Gunesekara, and Naveen Gunawardane