Crossing Borders: Modern Art from South Asia

Jul 14 2025.

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Text & Photos - Tina Edward Gunawardhana
 

Sri Lankan Artists Take Centre Stage at Landmark London Exhibition

Sri Lanka’s rich contribution to South Asian modernism is receiving long-overdue global recognition at Crossing Borders: Modern Art from South Asia, a landmark selling exhibition running till  31 July, at Phillips, Berkeley Square. Curated in collaboration with Grosvenor Gallery, a leading authority on South Asian art, the exhibition  brings together modernist pioneers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal—and significantly, Sri Lanka.

This ambitious exhibition places Sri Lanka’s most influential modern artists—George Keyt, Senaka Senanayake, Ivan Peries, George Claessen, and H.A. Karunaratne—in dialogue with iconic South Asian figures such as M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, Syed Sadequain, and Abdur Rahman Chughtai. For the island nation, Crossing Borders marks a pivotal moment: a rare opportunity to assert its unique voice within the broader story of post-independence South Asian art.

Among the most celebrated inclusions is Senaka Senanayake, whose lush, tropical paintings have become synonymous with Sri Lankan contemporary art. A prodigy who held his first international solo exhibition in New York at the age of 10, Senanayake studied art and architecture at Yale University before returning to Sri Lanka, where his work has since become deeply entwined with environmental advocacy. His central placement in the gallery underscores both his artistic impact and the global resonance of his themes.

“My work has always been a way to share the natural beauty and cultural richness of Sri Lanka with the world — and to remind us of what we stand to lose if we don’t protect it,” Senanayake said at the preview. “To see these paintings in the heart of London, among such distinguished artists, is deeply humbling.”

As I entered  the gallery from the muted tones of a sweltering London summer i was struck by the sheer vibrancy of Senanayake’s canvases, their tropical palette offering an immediate and joyful contrast. His work occupies a central position in the gallery, underscoring both his prominence and the growing global appeal of his artistic vision.

The exhibition also pays homage to George Keyt, often dubbed “Sri Lanka’s Picasso.” Fusing cubist structure with Buddhist and Hindu iconography, Keyt redefined Sri Lankan modernism in the mid-20th century. His bold lines and expressive forms remain foundational to the island’s art history and resonate profoundly alongside his regional peers.

Equally compelling is the inclusion of George Claessen, a founding member of the '43 Group and a vital, though sometimes under-recognised, figure in Sri Lanka’s modernist movement.

Claessen’s lyrical abstraction—marked by introspection, light, and atmosphere—set him apart from his contemporaries. Having spent much of his later life in London, his inclusion in this UK-based exhibition serves as a homecoming of sorts. His deeply personal and philosophical approach to painting adds a contemplative layer to the overall show.

Ivan Peries, another co-founder of the '43 Group, is represented by the haunting Figures in a Landscape (1969), a work that captures both the essence of island life and a surreal, dreamlike sensibility. With wind-swept trees, robed figures, and brooding skies, the painting exudes what art historian Eddie Chambers described as Peries’ “distinctive approach to paintings that were decidedly strange, surreal, and dreamlike in their content and construction.”

Rounding out the Sri Lankan presence is H.A. Karunaratne, whose paintings explore form and spirituality through subtle abstraction and meticulous composition—an aesthetic that bridges tradition and modernity.

“This is a significant cultural moment,” said Yassaman Ali, Director for Middle East & South Asia Regions at Phillips. “Crossing Borders honours a region whose artistic voices are finally receiving the global recognition they deserve. We are proud to shine a light on talents like Keyt, Claessen, Senanayake, Peries, and Karunaratne—artists who are essential to the story of South Asian modernism.”

Grosvenor Gallery directors Conor Macklin and Charles Moore echoed this sentiment: “The expanded scale of this show has allowed us to be ambitious. We’re thrilled to bring these artists into conversation and encourage viewers to engage with names they may not have encountered before.”

Among the guests at the preview was Malaka Talwatte, Chairman of the George Keyt Foundation and a growing force in Sri Lanka’s cultural diplomacy. “It’s wonderful to see Sri Lankan artists featured on the international stage,” he remarked. “This exhibition demonstrates how South Asian modernism is no longer peripheral, but central to the global art conversation. To see works by our modern masters displayed so prominently in London—at the peak of the summer art season—is both affirming and exciting.”

As Crossing Borders continues to draw collectors, scholars, and art lovers from around the world, it reinforces Sri Lanka’s position as a vital and distinct contributor to South Asian modernism—and offers a compelling argument for greater inclusion of its artists on the world stage.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina Edward Gunawardhana

Tina Edward Gunawardhana is a journalist specialising in travel, fashion, lifestyle, cuisine and personalities. She is also the Deputy Editor for Hi!! Magazine. An intrepid traveller, she likes to show readers the world through her eyes and experiences. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - tinajourno [email protected]


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