Zareena Hashmi is an Indian painter of global repute whose creations have established a landmark achievement in the field of arts, thanks to her `printmaking` process of painting. He signature style is said to be the utilization of minimalism idiom and abstract themes. The initial works of Zareena portray her introduction into the probabilities of the medium of `paper` as well as the unique concept of printmaking. One will notice some interference on paper which is violent and delicate at the same time, which is evidences of scratches, folds, disruptions, cuts and pierces made by her onto the medium of her paintings. Such a style inspires viewers to contemplate and provoke deep thoughts about her work. Her creations boast of a rare sculptural capability, particularly the process in which she carves woodblocks.
Early Life of Zareena Hashmi
Zareena Hashmi is born in the year 1937 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. She had pursued Bachelor of Science (Hons.) from AMU, from Aligarh in 1958. Thereafter, she aimed to study printmaking in the country and then follow it by a higher study in the same field from a university outside India. Zareena Hashmi studied printmaking with Krishna Reddy and S.W. Hayter, at Atelier 17 in Paris from the period of 1963 and 1967. Then, in 1974, she studied woodblock printing at Toshi Yoshido`s studio in the region of Tokyo, supported by a Japan Fellowship.
Works of Zareena Hashmi
Also spelt as `Zarina Hashmi`, Zareena`s art-works have won her national and international recognition. Some of the most renowned masterpieces include `Agni`, `Cage`, `A6 Works: Atlas of my World`, `4 Works: A House of Many Rooms`, `4 Works: Packed House and so on. A6 works has been practised against a light pink backdrop and is displayed like a map. The main work is done in black shade and the proper places consist of judicial shading. Woodcuts printed on handmade paper were employed for this art which was done during 2001. Her work Cage depicts a cage built of wooden planks, coloured in black and white on woodcut, in 1970. Another impressive creation of Hashmi is Agni, which has utilized gold leaf-work over the flames of a fire which has been represented by bold lines. Created during 1984, Gold leaf along with lithograph over paper has been used to achieve this effect. A beautiful netted effect is imparted to her work of 4 Works: A house of Many Rooms in which there exists a rectangle equipped with 16 equal portions. Bold lines demarcate the divisions of the rectangle and the work comprises excellent shading. Handmade paper was embedded to complete this work which was performed during the year 1993.
A peaceful sense of meditative spirituality characterizes the latest art-forms of Zareena Hashmi. Prayer beads have been signified by sculptural forms while obsidian and gold has been employed to create outstanding paper works which possess a height of nearly 6 feet. Presently, she has engaged herself in producing paintings in New York. Exhibitions of her paintings are displayed in many Indian cities as well as overseas.
