Zarina Hashmi passed away peacefully on April 25, 2020 in London, where she lived with her niece and nephew, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Who was Zarina Hashmi?
Zarina Hashmi, known professionally as Zarina, was a successful Indian artist and printmaker based in New York. Known for her minimalist approach, her diverse body of work spanned drawing, printmaking and sculpture, using abstract and geometric forms to evoke a deep spiritual response in the viewer.
Born Zarina Rashid on 16 July 1937 in Aligarh, India, she was the daughter of Sheikh Abdur Rashid, a professor at Aligarh Muslim University, and Fahmida Begum, a homemaker. Zarina graduated in Mathematics, earning a BS (Honours) from Aligarh Muslim University in 1958.
She further honed her craft by studying various printmaking techniques in Thailand and Paris, where she apprenticed with Stanley William Hayter at Atelier 17. She also trained with renowned printmaker Tōshi Yoshida in Tokyo, Japan. During her artistic journey, Zarina lived and worked in New York.
In the 1980s, Zarina contributed significantly to the feminist art movement, serving as a board member of the New York Feminist Art Institute and teaching papermaking workshops at the affiliated Women’s Center for Learning. She actively participated in the feminist art magazine Heresies, especially in the edition “Third World Women” as a member of the editorial board.
Unfortunately, Zarina passed away in London on April 25, 2020 due to complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. On July 16, 2023, her 86th birthday, a Google Doodle featuring her iconic works was released, paying tribute to her artistic legacy and influence.
Zarina Hashmi Sickness and health before death
Zarina Hashmi, the famous Indian-American artist and printmaker, has succumbed to complications of Alzheimer’s disease, marking the end of an extraordinary artistic career that spanned several decades. The debilitating effects of the disease took a toll on her mental and physical health, ultimately leading to her death.
Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, gradually eroded Zara’s cognitive abilities, including memory, thinking and behavior. As the disease progressed, she faced significant challenges in remembering and recognizing her loved ones, coping with everyday tasks and creative expression. Alzheimer’s slowly stripped away her lively spirit and left her vulnerable to a range of physical and mental impairments.
Throughout her battle with the disease, Zarina’s family, friends and the artistic community rallied around her, offering her support and understanding during this difficult time. They witnessed firsthand the gradual decline of her cognitive functions, which affected not only her artistic output, but also her ability to communicate and connect with others.
Zarina’s contribution to the art world was deeply influenced by her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The disease gradually deprived her of the artistic vision and technical skills that made her work so influential and highly regarded. It was a heartbreaking transformation for an artist once celebrated for her ability to evoke deep emotion through her abstract and geometric forms.
Despite the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, Zarina’s legacy remains intact. Her earlier works continue to captivate audiences and inspire generations of artists. Her unique perspective and exploration of themes related to identity, memory and displacement have left an indelible mark on the art world.
How did Zarina Hashmi die?
Zarina Hashmi, a renowned Indo-American artist and printmaker, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2020 in London. During the last years of her life, she lived with her niece and nephew as she struggled with a long-term illness, specifically Alzheimer’s disease.
The news of Zarina Hashmi’s death reverberated throughout the art world, leaving behind a deep sense of loss. Her artistic contribution, which spans different media such as drawing, printmaking and sculpture, has gained international recognition and had a profound impact on viewers.
During her long and illustrious career, Zarina became synonymous with the minimalist movement, using abstract and geometric shapes to evoke spiritual and emotional responses from her audience. Her works are celebrated for their profound simplicity and ability to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries.
As the grip of Alzheimer’s disease grew stronger, Zarina faced significant challenges in preserving her creative ability. The disease gradually eroded her cognitive abilities, which made it increasingly difficult for her to express herself artistically and socialize with the audience. However, her earlier works stood as a testament to her exceptional talent and left a lasting legacy in the art world.
In her last years, Zarina was surrounded by her caring and devoted family members, who provided her with the necessary support and comfort during her battle with Alzheimer’s. Their presence undoubtedly brought comfort to Zarina as she navigated the complexities of the disease.
The death of Zarina Hashmi on April 25, 2020 marked the end of an extraordinary artistic journey. Her contribution to the art world, characterized by her unique aesthetic and unwavering dedication to her craft, will continue to inspire and influence artists for generations to come.
What happened to Zarina Hashmi?
Zarina Hashmi, a renowned artist known for her contributions to the art world, including minimalist works, passed away on April 25, 2020, after a long illness caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Although specific details regarding her funeral are not widely available, it is important to note that Zarina Hashmi was of the Muslim faith, which usually follows special burial customs and traditions.
In the Islamic tradition, it is customary to perform a burial as soon as possible after someone’s death, preferably within 24 hours. This speed allows the deceased to be laid to rest and begin their journey to the afterlife. However, the exact time and arrangements for Zarina Hashmi’s funeral would be decided by her family, taking into account various factors and circumstances.
Given that Zarina Hashmi was living in London at the time of her death, it is likely that her funeral was held in accordance with Islamic customs in the region. The exact details of the funeral, such as the location and certain rituals performed, would be private and limited to her immediate family and friends.
Funerals in the Islamic tradition usually involve washing and covering the body, performing a prayer (known as the funeral prayer) and burying the deceased in a Muslim cemetery. The ceremony is often attended by family members, friends and community members who gather to pay their respects and pray for the departed souls.
During this difficult time, Zarine Hashmi’s family and loved ones would come together to support each other, seek comfort and honor her memory. A funeral would give them a chance to reflect on her life, celebrate her achievements and bid her a final farewell.
Personal life of Zarina Hashmi
Zarina Hashmi, a famous artist, embarked on a journey of cultural exploration and artistic growth together with her husband, diplomat Saad Hashmi. After marrying in 1958, the couple began a life of travel and relocation due to Saad’s diplomatic career.
Their experiences have taken them to various cities around the world, including Bangkok, Paris, Bonn and Delhi. Each destination provided Zara with unique cultural encounters, exposing her to different perspectives, traditions and artistic influences. These encounters played a key role in shaping her artistic viewpoints and stimulated her exploration of themes such as “home”, “displacement”, “borders” and “memory”.
Living in different countries allowed Zarina to immerse herself in different cultures, languages and ways of life. She insightfully observed the influence of borders and the notion of home in these different contexts, which led her to question and delve into the concept of identity and belonging. The experiences of constant movement and adaptation to new environments influenced her artistic expression and deepened her understanding of the complexity of human existence.
Zarina’s exposure to different cultures also broadened her artistic repertoire. She was exposed to different artistic traditions, techniques and artistic movements that prevailed in each place. This exposure enriched her artistic practice, allowing her to experiment with different media and approaches to create evocative artwork.
During her journey with Saad, Zarina delved into her own personal experiences of displacement, longing and memory. Her artwork became a visual exploration of these themes, capturing the emotional and psychological impact of borders and the longing for a sense of home. Her minimalist approach, using abstract and geometric shapes, allowed her to convey complex emotions and introspective narratives.
Various cultural encounters and movements that Zarina experienced had a significant impact on her artistic path. They provided her with a rich tapestry of experiences, inspiring her to create thought-provoking works of art that have resonated with audiences around the world. Zarina’s exploration of themes such as “home”, “displacement”, “borders” and “memory” became the foundation of her artistic identity and established her as a prominent figure in the art world.
Drawing from her personal journey and the transformative power of cultural encounters, Zarina Hashmi’s artworks continue to invite viewers to reflect on their own sense of place, belonging, and the intricate interplay between personal and collective memory. Her oeuvre serves as a testimony to the profound influence of cultural experiences on artistic expression and the enduring importance of exploring themes of identity and displacement through art.
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education