- Overview -
Dr. H.A. Karunaratne is a renowned artist who has made significant contributions to the advancement of Sri Lankan art in the 20th century. He is known for introducing nonfigurative art to the local art scene, shifting away from the traditional focus on human figures. By approaching abstract art as a narrative with multiple interpretations and emphasizing an artistic process rooted in alchemy, he has had a transformative influence on the art world during the 1970s.
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Karunaratne's unique artistic style shares similarities with American Abstract Expressionism but is guided by a distinct philosophical framework. His abstract expressionism offers individuals a spiritual and meditative experience, facilitating a deeper connection with their inner selves. Inspired by Buddhist principles of change and decay, his art captures natural processes of transformation and features a unique color palette. He frequently explores various art mediums and incorporates diverse materials into his work.
Throughout his career, Dr. Karunaratne has developed a substantial body of work that reflects his artistic process. His alchemistic approach is evident in his final artworks, encouraging viewers to interpret and engage with the pieces independently. He refrains from providing specific titles or explanations for his art, allowing the audience to form their own interpretations. He often stresses that "art has to be felt, not seen; one cannot successfully and completely verbalize a feeling."
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Dr. Karunaratne graduated from the Heywood College of Fine Arts in 1958 and held his first solo exhibition at the United States Information Centre in Colombo in 1956. He has since showcased his work in numerous solo exhibitions both nationally and internationally. He has received prestigious scholarships, including the Japanese Government Scholarship for Foreign Research Students and the Fulbright Award to study at Pratt Institute in New York, specializing in graphic art. In 1975, he became a teacher at the Institute of Aesthetic Studies (now the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Sri Lanka), where he mentored aspiring artists in the principles of abstraction and experimental art-making, significantly contributing to the popularity of abstract expressionism in Sri Lankan art. He has also undertaken notable public mural projects, including one at the Sri Lanka Satellite Station and another on iron plates near the Kelaniya Bridge. In 1968, he created a large mural for the visitors' lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
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Dr. Karunaratne's contributions to the visual arts in Sri Lanka and internationally have been recognized and honored by both state and private institutions. He has received national awards, such as the Kalapathi, Kala Suri, Viswa Prasadini, Drushya Kala Abhimani, and Kala Keerthi, as well as the Bunka Award from the Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund, acknowledging his lasting and significant impact on Sri Lankan culture through his art. In 2022, he was awarded the highest honor, "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays," by the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka. In 2010, he was bestowed with the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) by the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Sri Lanka.
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Even at the age of 95, Dr. Karunaratne continues to create exceptional art, exploring the possibilities of his alchemistic process and using found materials to texture surfaces, revealing new motives, sensations, and emotions.
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- Anoli Perera -