Zarina Hashmi was born on July 16, 1937, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. She belonged to a Muslim family.
Zarina graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Aligarh Muslim University in 1958.
Zarina began her artistic journey in the 1960s, experimenting with various mediums, including woodblock printing, sculpture, drawing, and collage.
Zarina's artistic style was influenced by various movements, including Minimalism, Abstract Expressionism, and Indian and Islamic architecture.
The Partition of India in 1947, which led to the creation of Pakistan, had a profound impact on Zarina's life and art.
Throughout her life, Zarina traveled extensively and lived in different countries, including Thailand, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States.
Zarina is often associated with the Minimalist movement, known for its focus on simplicity, geometric forms, and reduced visual vocabulary.
Paper was a central medium in Zarina's practice. She used various techniques such as woodblock printing, hand-dyed paper, and collage to create her artworks.
Her works are held in the collections of prestigious institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Tate Modern.
In 2017, she was awarded the U.S. State Department's Medal of Arts for her significant contributions to the field of art.