- Dr. H. A. Karunaratne -
### Professional Profile
Dr. H. A. Karunaratne is a highly accomplished and esteemed artist known for his exceptional contributions to various forms of art including abstract art, painting, drawing, ceramics, stained glass, murals, sculptures, and graphic art. With a career spanning numerous decades, he has left a significant mark in the art world through his wide-ranging artistic pursuits and academic engagements. Dr. Karunaratne has showcased his works on a global platform and has been honored with multiple awards recognizing his artistic prowess.
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### Educational Background
- *1952-1958:* Government Heywood College of Fine Arts, Colombo - Majored in Painting and Drawing
- *1959-1961:* Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Tokyo, Japan - Foreign Research Student under Japanese Government Scholarship
- *1965-1966:* Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, USA - Fulbright Award Recipient, Studied Graphic Art
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### Professional Experience
- *1975-1989:* Lecturer, Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1989:* Workshop Participant, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan
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### Solo Exhibitions
- *1956:* United States Information Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1956:* Colombo Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1959:* Fuji Denko Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- *1960:* Sogo Department Store, Yurakucho, Tokyo, Japan
- *1961:* Metropolitan Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- *1962:* Lionel Wendt Hall, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1970:* Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1981:* Melbourne, Australia & Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1982:* United States Information Center & Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1984-1987:* Hotel Lanka Oberoi, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1988:* National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1989:* Gakuyusha Gallery & Box Gallery, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
- *1990:* National Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1992:* "Roots of Art," Deutsche Bank G.M., Bernhard.A. Steinruecke residence, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1993:* Deutsche Bank, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1997:* "The Art of Sensibility," The Heritage Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *2000:* "Soul Searching," The Lanka Oberoi, Colombo, Sri Lanka, sponsored by Deutsche Bank
- *2003:* Mahaweli Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *2004:* SAARC Artist's Exhibition, Alhamra, Lahore, Pakistan & "Probing the Soul III," Thambapani Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *2010:* "Art Exhibition," J.D.A.Perera Art Gallery, Sri Lanka
- *2011:* "Beyond the Boundary 2010," J.D.A.Perera Art Gallery, Sri Lanka
- *2019:* Book Launch Event & Art Exhibition, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *2022:* "Zen" Art Exhibition, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka
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### Group Exhibitions
- *1955:* International Buddhist Art Exhibition, Art Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards)
- *1957:* 1st Young Asian Artists Exhibition, Shibuya Tokyo Department Store, Tokyo, Japan
- *1966:* 5th Tokyo International Print Biennale Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan
- *1969:* 10th Sao Paulo Biennale, Brazil
- *1973:* World Print Competition, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- *1974:* "Asia Today," Milan, Italy
- *1980:* Contemporary Asian Art Show, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan ("Holy Moon" acquired by museum)
- *1981:* South Asia Festival of Culture, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India & Exhibitions in Bangladesh, London, and Colombo
- *1985:* 2nd Asian Art Show, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan
- *1986:* 3rd Asian Art Biennale, Bangladesh
- *1988:* The Ceylon Society of Arts' Centenary Exhibition, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1989:* 3rd Asian Art Show, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan
- *1990:* Exhibition with The George Keyt Foundation, Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *1998:* Asia Print Adventure 1998, Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, Hokkaido, Japan
- *2008:* World Open Art Festival, Korea
- *2024:* Collaborative Project with KALÄ€, Lionel Wendt Art Centre, Sri Lanka
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### Awards
- *1955:* 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards for Best Artwork, International Buddhist Art Exhibition, Sri Lanka
- *1955:* Society Awards, Ceylon Society of Arts, Sri Lanka
- *1956:* 2nd Best Painting of the Year, Ceylon Society of Arts, Sri Lanka
- *1957:* Best Painting of the Year, Ceylon Society of Arts, Sri Lanka
- *1958:* 2nd Best Painting of the Year, Ceylon Society of Arts, Sri Lanka
- *1987:* "Kalapathi" Award, Ceylon Society of Arts' Centenary Celebration, Sri Lanka
- *1994:* "Kala Suri" National Honor, President of Sri Lanka
- *1996:* "Vishwa Prasadini" National Honor, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
- *1998:* Special Bunka Award, Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund (J.S.F.C.F), Sri Lanka
- *2005:* Honorary Award for Nurturing Art, President of Sri Lanka
- *2006:* Solias Mendis National Award, Solias Mendis Trust, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Lake House, Sri Lanka
- *2008:* Recognition of Artistic Independence, Mona Bismark Foundation, Paris
- *2010:* Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka
- *2012:* "Patishothagami Chithra Shilpiya," Ravaya Newspaper
- *2016:* "Desha nethru" Award, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development & Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka
- *2017:* "Speculo Award," Sri Lankan Airlines
- *2018:* "Drushya Kala Abhimani" Award, Sri Lanka Art Council, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka
- *2019:* "Kala Keerthi" National Honor, President of Sri Lanka
- *2022:* "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays," Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka
- *2022:* "Vishwabhushana" Award, All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Sri Lanka
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