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 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.

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 Sri Lankan contemporary practitioners and ongoing archival projects include the Udayshanth Fernando collection as well as the archives of HA Karunaratne, Chandraguptha Thenuwara and Jagath Weerasinghe. Mariyam holds a Master’s in Art History from Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati (Santiniketan), India.