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Rooted in the Sanskrit word for “art,” KALĀ is a dynamic platform championing modern and contemporary South Asian art, celebrating its vibrant narratives both locally and across the diaspora. At KALĀ, we foster collaborative and experiential expression, shining a spotlight on areas that demand greater visibility and engagement. Our mission is to position Sri Lanka as a key voice within the South Asian artistic landscape, creating opportunities that transcend borders and spark dialogues across the region.

In our second edition, KALĀ deepens its commitment to bringing international recognition to Sri Lankan artists. This milestone coincides with the 75th anniversary of the University of Visual and Performing Arts (UVPA) Colombo, where we proudly showcase the artistic legacy of Sri Lanka’s pioneering Heywood Masters alongside responses from contemporary practitioners. Through the KALĀ Commune, our South Asian residency programme, we extend this vision by fostering cross-border connections, meaningful collaborations, and a vibrant, inclusive arts ecosystem. Together, we inspire creative change and amplify the voices of Sri Lankan art on a global stage.

PIVOT GLIDE ECHO’s second edition delves deeper into the narratives of Sri Lankan art, highlighting the shared themes, social concerns, and creative explorations that connect the works of modern and contemporary artists, honouring the profound influence of these pioneers on the country’s art history and to the artistic heritage of the region.

Join us in celebrating Sri Lanka’s vibrant artistic legacy and its ongoing influence in the South Asian art scene at the Heywood Gallery at the University of Visual and Performing Arts Colombo.

This exhibition is supported by The Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust.

Assistant Curator Mariyam Begum.

KALĀ exhibitions have been curated under the guidance of our Curatorial Advisor Sandhini Poddar (Adjunct Curator at Large, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project).

KALĀ COMMUNE is an immersive South Asian Residency Open Studios & Exhibition. The residency programme runs over 4 weeks at the University of Visual & Performing Arts Colombo. Seven artists to share their experience and practice and help deepen our commitment through collaboration, pedagogy, and meaningful engagement.

Assistant Curator Mandira Ranathunga
Programming Advisor GoodLifeX

KALĀ exhibitions have been curated under the guidance of our Curatorial Advisor Sandhini Poddar (Adjunct Curator at Large, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project).

KALĀ 2025 is proud to collaborate with esteemed organisations to enrich its programming, including Art South Asia Project (ASAP). ASAP, a UK-based arts education and development non-profit, is committed to creating initiatives that serve South Asia and its diasporas. Following the success of last year’s KALĀ x ASAP series of talks and workshops, we are delighted to partner with them once again for the second edition of KALĀ.

The 2025 KALĀ x ASAP programme includes public talks and private workshops that highlight the vital relationships artists build within the art ecosystem—whether with patrons, commercial galleries, or through their own peers. This series aims to provide invaluable insights and specialised perspectives for the artistic community in Sri Lanka and beyond. This year’s KALĀ x ASAP will be supported once again by Faizal and Shabana Foundation.

Asia Society is a global non-profit institution, headquartered in the US, with a network of centres across the world. With a focus on creating a deeper understanding of Asia for global audiences, and building networks and connections between Asia and the world, Asia Society curates strategic initiatives and programmes across the arts, business, policy, geopolitics, health, technology and education.

Established in 2006, the India Centre is committed to spotlighting South Asia through its work, focusing on the collective and individual histories of the region; contemporary challenges affecting society; and the trends and ideas that will shape the subcontinent’s future. Within the arts, the organisation has a long-standing commitment to promoting public engagement with culture, supporting artistic excellence and creative leadership, developing cross-border networks between individuals and cultural institutions, and building awareness about contemporary and vernacular artistic traditions in South Asia.

In its second edition KALĀ expands its reach through the South Asian residency programme KALĀ Commune, led by Assistant Curator Mandira Ranathunga and Programming Advisor Good Life X, deepening our commitment to collaboration, pedagogy, and meaningful engagement by bringing together seven practitioners within the region, nurturing emerging talent and fostering cross-border connections.

GOOD LIFE X (GLX), a catalyst in regenerative futures, will shape the residency programme and public events. Drawing on their local expertise and industry insights, they will collaborate with KALĀ as advisors to ensure the programming reflects both the Sri Lankan context and wider South Asian perspectives.

Our Team

Saskia Fernando

Founding Director

Saskia Fernando is a Sri Lankan gallerist and entrepreneur. She is best known for her pioneering work in developing the contemporary art scene in Sri Lanka and providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work to a wider audience. Saskia is the founder of the Saskia Fernando Gallery, which has become a hub for contemporary art and culture in Colombo. Saskia’s vision and passion for contemporary art have helped introduce Sri Lankan art to a global stage while cultivating a deep appreciation for the region’s rich artistic heritage. In addition to her work as a curator, Saskia is also an advocate for nurturing artistic talent and cultural exchange. She is committed to promoting Sri Lanka as a hub for cultural and artistic expression and has contributed to several initiatives aimed at developing local talent.

Sandhini Poddar

Curatorial Advisor

Sandhini Poddar is a London-based art historian and Adjunct Curator-at-Large at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project. With a profound understanding of South Asian modern and contemporary art, she has played a pivotal role in shaping discourse surrounding art from the region, both in India and internationally. Her academic background, combined with her professional experience over the past twenty years, has made her a recognised authority in the field. Throughout her career, Sandhini has curated numerous impactful exhibitions that have garnered critical acclaim. She has showcased the works of established and emerging artists from South Asia and the diaspora, exploring a diverse range of themes and perspectives. Her exhibitions have opened new chapters in Asian art history.

Mandira Ranathunga

Assistant Curator

Mandira Ranathunga is a curator, assistant lecturer, artist, and researcher specialising in art history, contemporary art, gallery studies, and museology. Her research centers on gallery spaces and Sri Lankan modern and contemporary art. Mandira is a graduate of the University of Visual and Performing Arts. She is dedicated to advancing art education, curation, and cultural heritage.

Mariyam Begum

Assistant Curator

Mariyam Begum is a curator, archivist, and researcher. Her focus lies in the exploration of ecology and language in South Asian art. She has curated exhibitions featuring contemporary Sri Lankan practitioners, and her ongoing archival projects include the Udayshanth Fernando collection, as well as the archives of H.A. Karunaratne, Chandraguptha Thenuwara, and Jagath Weerasinghe. Mariyam holds a Master’s in Art History from Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati (Santiniketan), India.

Michele Thurairaja

Project Director

Michele Thurairaja joins the team with a background in strategic communication and project management, with experience designing and delivering content for festivals in Sri Lanka, including creating sustainable partnerships, education, and collaboration.

Sulakshi Ratnayake

Art Writer

Harin Katipearachchi

Content Creator