H A KARUNARATNE

Born in 1929 in the lakeside village of Kothalawala, Sri Lanka, Dr. H. A. Karunaratne transcended cultural and geographical boundaries with his artistic talent. He honed his craft at the Government College of Fine Arts in Colombo, studying under progressive mentors Stanley Abeysinghe and David Paynter. Seeking inspiration abroad, he immersed himself in Japan's artistic heritage at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in the late 1950s and later explored New York's art scene in the 1960s through a Fulbright Award.

In the 1990s, he embraced pure abstraction, incorporating everyday objects into innovative multidimensional sculptures and paintings. Dr. H. A. Karunaratne's legacy embodies the enduring power of art—a profound reflection of the human soul, inviting contemplation and enlightenment for those delving into its mysteries.

Karunaratne's art blended Eastern spiritualism with Western innovation, creating abstract masterpieces like "The New Moon Painting" and "Mother and Child," challenging viewers to explore light, colour, and form nuances. His contemplative works, including "Enlightenment," earned international acclaim, showcased in prestigious exhibitions such as the Sao Paulo Biennale and the Asian Art Biennale in Dhaka.