For much of the 20th century, the story of modern art was largely told through the movements and artists of Europe and the US, with the contributions of artists from countries such as Sri Lanka often receiving considerably less international attention.
Yet Sri Lanka has its own rich history of modern artistic expression, shaped by individuals who challenged conventions, experimented with new forms, and helped establish a visual language distinct from the traditions preceding them.
Among the most influential of these figures was Dr. H.A. Karunaratne, widely regarded as the father of abstract art in Sri Lanka, whose career spanned more than six decades and whose work helped redefine the possibilities of artistic expression in the country.
This October, Karunaratne’s contribution to modern art will receive international recognition as Saskia Fernando Gallery presents a selection of his works at Frieze Masters London 2026, taking place from 14 to 18 October at Regent’s Park.
The presentation marks a significant milestone for Sri Lankan art, with Karunaratne becoming only the second Sri Lankan artist to be featured at Frieze Masters, following Lionel Wendt in 2014.
More importantly, the exhibition presents an opportunity to reconsider the place of Sri Lankan artists within the broader history of modern art and recognise the influence of an artist whose contribution extended well beyond his own practice.
A pioneer of abstraction
Born in Kalutara in 1929, Karunaratne began his formal artistic education at the Government College of Fine Arts in Colombo before pursuing further studies in Japan and the US.
His experiences at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and New York’s Pratt Institute exposed him to different artistic traditions, particularly American abstract expressionism and Japanese approaches to art informed by Zen Buddhist philosophy.
These influences became central to his practice, informing an artistic language concerned with colour, movement, material, and individual expression.
At a time when figurative painting continued to occupy an important place within Sri Lanka’s artistic landscape, Karunaratne was exploring abstraction as an alternative means of communicating ideas and experiences.
His approach was concerned with the expressive possibilities of art itself, drawing on philosophical influences while experimenting with materials ranging from paint to fabric and metal. The 1960s proved particularly important in this evolution, with Karunaratne emerging as a leading figure in the development of modern abstraction in Sri Lanka.
His influence was also felt through his work as an educator. As a lecturer and mentor, he helped introduce generations of Sri Lankan artists to new approaches to artistic expression, encouraging experimentation and expanding the understanding of what art might represent.
Through his teaching and artistic practice, Karunaratne played an important role in establishing abstraction within Sri Lankan art, leaving a legacy which continues to influence contemporary artists.
Recognising an overlooked legacy
Karunaratne’s inclusion at Frieze Masters is particularly significant given the nature of the exhibition.
His works will be presented within Spotlight, a section dedicated to rediscovering and reassessing important yet under-recognised artists of the 20th century, curated this year by Dr. Devika Singh and Dr. Sofia Gotti.
The section brings together artists whose contributions to modern art deserve greater attention within international art history, placing their practices in conversation with artistic developments across different regions and cultures.
Karunaratne’s work is especially relevant to this conversation because of the way his practice engaged with international artistic movements while developing an individual approach informed by his experiences and philosophical interests.
Speaking on this milestone, Karunaratne’s daughter Thilani Karunaratne said: “There is a special kind of happiness that words can hardly express when you see your father’s art receive recognition from respected masters in the international art world, at a platform such as Frieze. This moment fills my heart with immense pride, gratitude, and emotion.
“Behind every work of art lies a part of the artist’s life – his experiences, struggles, reflections, and the quiet perseverance that often remains unseen by others. To see his artistic vision acknowledged beyond the boundaries of our own world is deeply moving. It feels as though the emotions, thoughts, and years of dedication he has poured into his work are finally reaching the people who can recognise their significance.”
Although he exhibited internationally during his lifetime, including at the São Paulo Biennial and institutions across Asia and Europe, Karunaratne maintained a relatively private artistic practice.
The invitation to participate in Spotlight therefore represents an opportunity to introduce his work to a wider international audience while encouraging renewed research and appreciation of his contribution to modernism.
“What makes this moment truly precious is not recognition alone, but the knowledge that my father’s art has the power to speak for him, carrying his inner world into a wider artistic conversation,” Thilani said.
A rare look at his early practice
The Frieze Masters presentation will feature a selection of rare pre-1980s works from Karunaratne’s estate, offering insight into a particularly important period in his artistic development.
Preserved within his family’s private collection, these works document his transition from figurative painting towards abstraction, highlighting the experimentation with colour, composition, and gestural brushwork which would become characteristic of his practice. Among the works being presented is the rare ‘Portrait of Thilani Karunaratne,’ created during the 1970s and depicting the artist’s daughter.
The presentation is particularly poignant following Karunaratne’s passing in February this year, aged 96. “As his daughter, I feel honoured to witness this chapter of his journey. It reminds me that genuine artistic expression does not always seek attention; sometimes, it simply waits to be understood. Today, my pride is not only in the recognition he receives, but in the artist and the person he has always been. To see my father’s art acknowledged on an international stage is to witness a part of his life finding its voice in the world – and that is a gift I will always treasure,” Thilani said.
For Saskia Fernando Gallery Founder Saskia Fernando, the significance of the presentation lies in the opportunity to bring these rarely seen works into wider public and institutional conversations.
“These works represent a key moment for the artist when he shifted from the figurative towards abstract figurative practice. These works have been released from the artist’s estate for the presentation at Frieze Masters. It is a unique opportunity for us to open up conversations and acquisitions of the artist’s early practice,” she explained.
A wider conversation for Sri Lankan art
The presentation has been made possible through a partnership between Saskia Fernando Gallery and Lynear Wealth Management, reflecting growing interest in the relationship between artistic heritage, international collecting, and the development of Sri Lanka’s creative economy.
Lynear Wealth Management Head – Strategy and Growth Nabiha Mohamed described the partnership as an opportunity to strengthen Sri Lanka’s presence within the international art community.
“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.
Beyond the immediate significance of the exhibition, Karunaratne’s participation at Frieze Masters raises broader questions about how Sri Lanka’s artistic history is documented, preserved, and presented internationally.
For Sri Lanka, the exhibition offers an opportunity to revisit the contribution of an artist who helped shape the country’s modern artistic identity while bringing greater attention to a history which deserves wider recognition.