Zarina Hashmi, an acclaimed Indian-American artist and printmaker, was recently honored by Google on her 86th birthday with a captivating doodle. The doodle, designed by guest artist Tara Anand from New York, beautifully celebrates Hashmi’s distinctive artistic style. She was known for her skillful use of minimalist abstract and geometric forms to delve into themes such as home, displacement, borders, and memory. The doodle serves as a wonderful tribute to her remarkable contributions to the art world.
Regarded as one of the most influential artists associated with the minimalist movement, Hashmi was born on this day in 1937 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. She grew up with her four siblings, enjoying an idyllic life until the partition of India in 1947.
The partition coerced Zarina’s family to escape to Karachi, the newly established city in Pakistan.
At the age of 21, Hashmi entered into matrimony with a young foreign service diplomat, embarking on a journey that afforded her the opportunity to traverse the globe. She voyaged to Bangkok, Paris, and Japan, immersing herself in the realm of printmaking and artistic movements such as modernism and abstraction.
In 1977, Hashmi settled in the vibrant metropolis of New York, becoming an ardent advocate for women’s rights and artists of color. She became a member of the Heresies Collective, a feminist publication that delved into the multifaceted intersection of art, politics, and social justice.
Continuing her dedication to equality and artistic education, Hashmi commenced teaching at the New York Feminist Art Institute, providing a platform for female artists to thrive. In 1980, she co-curated a groundbreaking exhibition at A.I.R. Gallery titled “Dialectics of Isolation: An Exhibition of Third World Women Artists of the United States.” This influential event not only presented diverse artists but also cultivated a space where female artists of color could express themselves freely.
Hashmi’s artistic style revolved around woodcuts and intaglio prints, deftly blending semi-abstract portrayals of dwellings and urban landscapes where she had resided. Her works frequently incorporated inscriptions in Urdu and showcased geometric elements inspired by Islamic art.
The legacy of Zarina Hashmi continues to captivate and evoke contemplation on a global scale. Her art can be found in permanent collections at esteemed institutions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others.
Today’s Google doodle stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Zarina Hashmi’s contributions to the art world. Doodles, temporary modifications of the Google logo on its homepages, have become a means for the tech giant to commemorate significant events and pay homage to notable public figures.
