What’s the story about Zarina Hashmi?
On the 16th July 2023, Google celebrated, what would have been, the 86th birthday of Zarina Hashmi, the influential Indian American artist, with a doodle. The doodle, created by artist Tara Anand, features a series of minimalist geometric shapes that represent Zarina’s most famous works. The doodle is a fitting tribute to an artist who is known for her use of abstract and geometric forms to explore themes of home, displacement, borders, and memory.
Zarina was born in India in 1937 and grew up during the 1947 Partition of India when her family were displaced to Pakistan. This experience had a profound impact on her work, which often deals with the themes of displacement and loss. After Zarina got married in 1958, she travelled with her husband to countries such as Japan, Germany, Thailand, and France. Her work is also influenced by the Islamic faith and her travels around the world.
Zarina is considered one of the most important artists of the Minimalist movement. Major museums around the world have exhibited her work, including the:
- Museum of Modern Art in New York City,
- Tate Modern in London,
- Centre Pompidou in Paris.
In 2020, Zarina died at the age of 82. Her death was widely mourned by the art world.
The Google doodle is a great way to introduce Zarina Hashmi’s work to a wider audience. It is a reminder of the power of art to communicate complex ideas in a simple and elegant way.
Why should I care about this story?
Zarina Hashmi is important to people because her work deals with themes that are relevant to people, such as displacement, loss, and borders. Her work can also be seen as a commentary on the UK’s colonial history and its relationship with the rest of the world.
After living in New York for decades, Zarina died in London in 2020, following complications from Alzheimer’s.
Zarina exhibited her work in renowned galleries and museums.
While Zarina’s work is familiar to millions of people, her Google doodle is a great way to introduce her work to a wider audience and to remind people of her importance as an artist.
Here are specific reasons why people should care about Zarina Hashmi:
- Her work deals with themes that are relevant to people, such as displacement, loss, and borders.
- Renowned galleries and museums have exhibited Zarina’s work.
- She was an enthusiastic advocate for women’s rights and female artists of colour.
- Her work is beautiful, thought-provoking, and inspiring.