‘Exquisite Sri Lanka’ by a stroke of a brush; Ifthikar Cader exhibition on 18 and 19 March

Ifthikar Cader needs no introduction to the world of art. He who has been painting professionally since 1995 to date has been actively interested in painting since the age of 15 years. In fact, one of his earliest paintings from around that age still remains in his personal collection.

A self-taught artist is he, encouraged by a natural ability to accurately draw and transfer freehand what he sees onto paper/canvas. Naturally talented, he developed a lifetime love of art, delving deeper into understanding the theory and history of art and the work of the grand masters. Constantly learning through books, DVD tutorials and visiting world famous galleries whenever possible, his natural ability to paint flourished.

What inspired him might one ask? His first attempts were using water colours but he soon moved onto working with oils. If he was to recall a turning point during these times when he became serious about painting, it was after watching the movie ‘Lust for Life’ starring Kirk Douglas portraying Vincent Van Gogh. He was fascinated with his style of painting a la prima and this stirred his imagination and interest in post-impressionists Cezanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin.

Perhaps another contributing factor to his growing passion for art at this time funnily enough, could have been his love for the game of rugby. A pertinent incident was when his team the Thomian Tigers, was playing a light-hearted game of rugby with the Josephian Hornets at the CR & FC, which incidentally they won! Seated in the pavilion at the time was Chief Justice Noel Gratien, a stalwart of the club, who witnessed their nascent efforts. He enquired if they were serious about the game and this, in 1954, was what led to St. Thomas’ College taking up Rugby!

Their first official game was in 1955 against the formidable Trinitians, whom they held to a goal-less first half, narrowly losing the game but winning the hearts of Thomian supporters. The morning newspapers said “It was a courageous display by the Thomians that shook the Trinitians and won for St. Thomas’ College the honours of the day.” He says perhaps for him playing rugby, which exudes a rough and toughness on the field was balanced by the beauty, quiet and peace experienced through art.

This unlikely combination of his passions was eloquently described in the title of an article in NEWSLANKA, of Thursday 13 November 2008: ‘Ifthikar Cader played rugby for St. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia, combined Colleges, CR & FC and LSE (UK) – but that was only his second love – his first love was landscape painting’.

Cader draws inspiration from his travels around Sri Lanka and overseas; in fact from the abounding natural beauty in everyday pastoral scenes, every country with its own unique landscapes.. In terms of locations, apart from his motherland, Sri Lanka, he has painted and exhibited in Pakistan, He has also painted in Paris, Holland, Belgium, Germany, New Hampshire, USA and in England.

When asked the all-important question as to which Masters you admire, he gently responds saying “Of course, all the traditional great masters. And as a professional artist, I greatly admire the living master Richard Schmid among several others.”

Today, he paints out of passion and as a vocation which fortunately also provides him with a livelihood! In Sri Lanka to date, he has held 10 solo exhibitions at the Lionel Wendt and after a lapse of three years and a collection of around 60 or more new paintings, his next exhibition comes alive on 18 and 19 March at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery.