Zarina Hashmi (16 July 1937 – 25 April 2020) was an Indian-American artist and printmaker based in New York City. Her work spans drawing, printmaking, and sculpture. Associated with the Minimalist movement, her work utilized abstract and geometric forms in order to evoke a spiritual reaction from the viewer.
Hashmi was born in Aligarh, India, into a Muslim family. She studied mathematics at Aligarh Muslim University, and then went on to study printmaking at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Delhi. In 1962, she moved to New York City to study at the Pratt Institute.
Hashmi's work is often inspired by her personal experiences, including her displacement from India and her identity as a Muslim woman. Her work also explores themes of home, memory, and loss.
Hashmi's work is characterized by its simplicity and its use of geometric forms. She often uses paper as her primary medium, and her works are often characterized by their delicate and ephemeral qualities.
Hashmi's work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions around the world. She has also received numerous awards, including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards.
Hashmi's work is held in the collections of major museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Tate Modern.
In 2020, a Google Doodle was created to commemorate Hashmi's 83rd birthday.
Hashmi's work is a powerful and moving exploration of the human condition. Her work is both beautiful and thought-provoking, and it continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
Here are some additional facts about Zarina Hashmi:
- She was a founding member of the Women's Graphic Center in New York City.
- She was a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1972.
- She was a member of the National Academy of Design.
- She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2006.
- She died in London in 2020 at the age of 82.
Zarina Hashmi's work is a powerful and important contribution to the world of art. Her work is both beautiful and thought-provoking, and it continues to resonate with audiences around the world.