Commemorating the 86th Birth Anniversary of Zarina Hashmi, Indian-American Artist and Printmaker

Google Doodle for Zarina Hashmi: A tribute


Google Doodle: Today, Google pays tribute to the renowned Indian-American artist and printmaker, Zarina Hashmi, on what would have been her 86th birthday. The doodle, created by guest illustrator Tara Anand from New York, showcases Hashmi's unique artistic style with minimalist abstract and geometric shapes that reflect her profound exploration of home, displacement, borders, and memory.


Zarina Hashmi, also known as Zarina, was born on July 16, 1937, in the small Indian town of Aligarh. Her childhood was marked by happiness until the partition of India in 1947 forced her family, like millions of others, to leave their home. Relocating to Karachi, Pakistan, became a pivotal moment in her life.


The experiences that followed shaped Hashmi's artistic journey. At the age of 21, she married a diplomat, embarking on a life of travel and exploration. Living in Bangkok, Paris, and Japan, she had the opportunity to immerse herself in the world of printmaking and was inspired by the modernist and abstract art movements.


In 1977, Hashmi moved to New York City, where she became a passionate advocate for black and female artists. Joining the Heresies Collective, she engaged with feminist discourse, investigating the intersection of politics, art, and social justice. As a professor at the New York Feminist Art Institute, she worked towards providing equal educational opportunities for women artists.


Zarina Hashmi's artistic brilliance shone through her intaglio and woodcut prints. Her creations skillfully blended semi-abstract representations of the homes and cities she had lived in, often incorporating inscriptions in her native Urdu and geometric designs inspired by Islamic art. Her minimalist approach and profound exploration of identity made her a prominent figure associated with the Minimalist Movement.


The impact of Hashmi's artwork extended far beyond her studio. In 2011, she was one of four artists chosen to represent India in its debut exhibit at the Venice Biennale. The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles hosted the first retrospective of her work in 2012, which later traveled to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Her captivating pieces also found a permanent home in prestigious institutions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.


One of Hashmi's notable works, "Paper Like Skin," beautifully encapsulates her exploration of the concept that "home is a foreign place." The woodblock print features a thin black line meandering across a white background, symbolizing borders or an unfinished voyage. Her art evoked a spiritual experience, inviting viewers to reflect on themes of mobility, diaspora, and exile.


Google's doodle today serves as a reminder of Zarina Hashmi's invaluable contributions to the world of art. Through her thought-provoking creations, she challenged conventional notions of home and belonging, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary art. Her legacy as an artist, educator, and advocate for marginalized voices continues to inspire future generations.