Sri Lanka’s first-ever Sotheby’s conducted auction, in partnership with George Keyt Foundation, celebrating the country’s contemporary and modern artists, successfully concluded recently. The historic event also provided a strong foundation to propel Sri Lankan art into the international spotlight.
The three-day event held from 7-9 December at Cinnamon Life combined public art viewings, an expert panel discussion on Sri Lankan art’s regional influences led by Ishrat Kanga Director, Specialist, and Co-Worldwide Head of Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art, Sotheby’s and culminated in a charity auction featuring 46 lots from 35 of Sri Lanka’s foremost artists.
The charity auction conducted by Sotheby’s created an unprecedented platform for Sri Lankan artists to gain international recognition and opened new doors for local artists to access global art markets and collectors.
In addition, the participation of Sotheby’s South Asian Art specialist transformed the local initiative into a globally significant event, signalling the international art market’s growing interest in Sri Lankan artistic talent.
The prestigious auction drew an illustrious gathering of art enthusiasts, collectors, and connoisseurs from both local and international circles, the diplomatic corps, corporate art patrons, and established figures from the South Asian art scene. Their presence was complemented by emerging collectors and young art enthusiasts.
At the event’s conclusion, auctioneer Ishrat Kanga was presented the White Gloves as a token of recognition by the George Keyt Foundation. A white glove auction represents the auction’s absolute success, where each artwork finds a new home, and no item remains unsold.
The successful auction will fund several crucial cultural preservation projects, including the continued upkeep and development of the Gothami Viharaya murals – works painted by George Keyt himself. Additionally, the proceeds will support the creation of a catalogue Raisonne of Keyt’s works and the production of a documentary film chronicling the artist’s life and contributions to Sri Lankan art. The funds from the auction will also enable the Foundation to continue vital initiatives including the Kala Pola and Artist of the Year program.
The Foundation aims to continue to build on the event’s momentum, furthering the mission of preserving Sri Lanka’s artistic heritage while creating a new generation of artists.
