Ifthikar Cader needs no introduction to the world of art. He has been painting professionally since 1996; he started to paint as a novice at the age of 15. One of his earliest paintings from around that age still remains in his personal collection. Painting is his passion; it also brings him monetary benefits. Over the years he has held 10 solo exhibitions at the Lionel Wendt. After a three-year gap, he is ready to hold another exhibition on March 18 and 19 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery. He will present a collection of 60 new paintings. In this interview with the Sunday Observer, Cader talks about his painting career and achievements in the recent past.
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Some paintings to be displayed at the exhibition
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How long have you been in the arts field?
I always loved to draw and paint and cherished a career in Art. However it was not to be until 1996 when I retired from business at 58 years and took the challenge to paint professionally. So, I have been painting for 21 years.
What inspired you to become an artist?
My inspiration to paint was and still is this exquisite island home of ours. Be it seascapes, landscapes, wildlife, still life or portraits they turned out to be splendid oil paintings! Something else that was a turning point was the 1955/56 release of the film, Lust for Life starring Kirk Douglas (who celebrated his 100th birth anniversary this year) as the great post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh “one of the most influential and famous artists in the history of western Art.” His expressive colours and bold brushwork made a deep impression on me as did his lonely and tortured life plagued by poverty and mental illness. He painted over 850 oil paintings during the last two years of his life that ended in suicide at just 37. The irony is that he failed to sell a single painting during his life-time - a tragic genius far ahead of his time.
What type of paintings do you do, and what do you use?
My style is Representational and my favourite themes are landscapes and seascapes. My medium is oil paints and I try to restrict my palette to the three primaries of Artist quality, red, yellow and blue warm and cool paints, Titanium white and Mars black to mix a wide variety of colours. I generally paint on imported linen canvas but also use cotton canvas sometimes. Plein-air or location painting of the subject matter is mostly finished in a day. It is necessary therefore, to paint the main shapes, values and colours quickly to capture the essence of the scene. It is a convenient way to paint small to medium size canvases of original scenes direct from nature, while at the same time -enjoying the peace and beauty of the countryside.
Have you got any awards for your works?
I am self-taught and never had any formal training in art. Since 1996 I have greatly benefitted from the Internet and from DVD Tutorials self-educating myself. I have not competed for any awards though I have got many compliments in my Visitors’ book and emails. I do not display my paintings in galleries but have had solo exhibitions. Of course, anyone can arrange to directly purchase a painting from me anytime.
Now there is the practice in Sri Lanka for painters to hold exhibitions. How profitable is it, especially, as artists are not affluent?
I exhibit in one of the two galleries of the Lionel Wendt Memorial Hall, and have done so since my first show in 1996.
I paint for my own enjoyment and hope it resonates with my clients’ tastes and preferences to be able to make a living out of Art! Today, the opportunities for a profitable career in Art are many and with the Internet there is tremendous scope for students and amateurs to obtain qualifications.
Tell us something about your exhibition which is to be conducted this month at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery.
This exhibition showcases my recent paintings, where nature has played a major part, be it marshy land, the beauty of our jungles, the stunning sunsets we are privy to, bird life and the likes of real life in Sri Lanka. Any viewer could relate to every scene that has been portrayed on canvas. So, I am not only looking at just holding an exhibition, but sharing my passion for art with all art enthusiasts.