Salima Hashmi
Encyclopedia
Salima Hashmi is a Pakistan
i painter, artist, writer, anti-nuclear weapon
activist and a professor who served for four years as the head of the National College of Arts
. She is the daughter of one of Pakistan's most renowned poets, Faiz Ahmed Faiz
, and the British-born Alys Faiz
.
She represents the first generation of modern artists in Pakistan, who carry an artistic identity different from indigenous artists. Known for her condemning the Indian
and Pakistani
nuclear program
s, she is among one of the few Pakistani intellectuals who condemned the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan in 1998.
, Pakistan. She is a cousin of the architect, Yasmin Cheema from her father's side.
She is married to Shoaib Hashmi
. Her son Yasser Hashmi is in final stages of his doctrate at McGill University Canada and teaches Psychology at Lahore University Of Management Sciences. Her Nephew Adeel Hashmi
is a well known young director, Actor and model in the world of media in Pakistan.
. Shoaib Hashmi
, her husband, retired from a teaching position at Government College
University, Lahore
, and was also a popular co-star with Salima in comedy television shows in the early 1970s.
In addition, Salima taught for 30 years at NCA, Pakistan’s premier art institution, and retired as its Principal. Her work has been exhibited, and she has traveled and lectured extensively all over the world. She has also curated numerous international art shows in England, Europe, the USA, Australia, Japan and India.Salima Hashmi is a recipient of The President’s Award for Pride of Performance, Pakistan.
, and her mother, the British-born Alys Faiz
was a respected journalist and peace activist in Pakistan
. One of two daughters, Salima was always active in the arts, performing in plays before taking on painting professionally.
Salima was about eight years old when Faiz Ahmed Faiz was imprisoned for his political views. She remembers visiting him in jail. Later, during the repressive years of General Zia-ul-Haq rule, Salima's father had to go into self-exile as a result of the harassment he faced by Zia's government. Therefore, Salima grew up in a politically charged atmosphere. Painting became her outlet.
and Pakistan
in 1998. In an interview with Humsafar magazine she talked about her series People Wept at Dawn which she says is in response to the nuclear tests. Salima expressed her frustration at the India
and Pakistan
nuclear test by saying:
"It would be so much more fruitful if these energies could be used in producing food to eat, providing shelter, freedom from disease and education for all."
Salima Hashmi has also been active in the human rights movement since the early 80s when she was one of the founding members Women's Action Forum, an organization dedicated to promoting women's rights though it has been criticized for being limited to the elite class of Pakistan
.
(Article by Laila Kazmi)
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i painter, artist, writer, anti-nuclear weapon
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
activist and a professor who served for four years as the head of the National College of Arts
National College of Arts
The National College of Arts Lahore, usually referred to by its acronym NCA, is a famous old college in Lahore, Pakistan.Like all old institutions, the National College of Arts, has a historical tradition. Much of its present tone was set long ago when it was known as the Mayo School of Arts...
. She is the daughter of one of Pakistan's most renowned poets, Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Faiz Ahmad Faiz was a Pakistani intellectual, poet, and one of the most famous poets of the Urdu language. He was a member of the Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind and an avowed Marxist. In 1962, he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union...
, and the British-born Alys Faiz
Alys Faiz
Alys Faiz was a British-born naturalized Pakistani poet, writer, journalist, human rights activist, social worker and teacher....
.
She represents the first generation of modern artists in Pakistan, who carry an artistic identity different from indigenous artists. Known for her condemning the Indian
India and weapons of mass destruction
India possesses nuclear weapons and maintains short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, nuclear-capable aircraft, surface ships, and submarines under development as possible delivery systems and platforms...
and Pakistani
Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction
Pakistan began focusing on nuclear weapons development in January 1972 under the leadership of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who delegated the program to the Chairman of PAEC Munir Ahmad Khan...
nuclear program
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
s, she is among one of the few Pakistani intellectuals who condemned the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan in 1998.
Family
Hashmi was born to Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Alys Faiz. She has one sister. She is a maternal cousin of Salman Taseer, the former Governor of PunjabGovernor of Punjab
Governor of Punjab may refer to:* List of Governors of Punjab , of the pre-independence Punjab province of British India* List of Governors of Punjab , of Punjab state in India...
, Pakistan. She is a cousin of the architect, Yasmin Cheema from her father's side.
She is married to Shoaib Hashmi
Shoaib Hashmi
-Family life and education:Hashmi did his MA in Economics from Government College , Lahore and his MSC from London School of Economics , London. He also studied theater at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London....
. Her son Yasser Hashmi is in final stages of his doctrate at McGill University Canada and teaches Psychology at Lahore University Of Management Sciences. Her Nephew Adeel Hashmi
Adeel Hashmi
Adeel Hashmi is a Pakistani television actor, social worker, producer and screen writer. He is the son of the actor Shoaib Hashmi. His mother Moeenza Hashmi is well known actress who had served in PTV for many years. He is the nephew of Salima Hashmi is nuclear scientist who has served in PTV. He...
is a well known young director, Actor and model in the world of media in Pakistan.
Academic career
She is currently the Dean of the School of Visual Arts & Design at the Beaconhouse National University. Salima is famous for her quick wit and ability to read and analyze artwork with effortless ease. She is a respected patron of young artists known to have the capacity to make or break a career. Formerly known as "Art-Shart", Rohtas-2 is the gallery set up by Salima Hashmi at her house in Lahore Model TownLahore Model Town
Model Town Lahore is one of residential suburbs of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located next to Faisal Town, Gulberg, Garden Town and Township suburbs of Lahore.- History :...
. Shoaib Hashmi
Shoaib Hashmi
-Family life and education:Hashmi did his MA in Economics from Government College , Lahore and his MSC from London School of Economics , London. He also studied theater at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London....
, her husband, retired from a teaching position at Government College
Government College
Government College refers to various colleges.* Government College University, Lahore, is probably the most frequent college referred to by this name. It may also refer to:* Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, India* Darjeeling Government College...
University, Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, and was also a popular co-star with Salima in comedy television shows in the early 1970s.
Education
She has been the Dean at the School of Visual Arts, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore. In addition, she is an activist, a painter, art educationist, writer and curator. In recent years she has been working on developing closer links with India and working towards a unity group. She was educated at the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, the Bath Academy of Art, U.K., and the Rhode Island School of Design, USA.In addition, Salima taught for 30 years at NCA, Pakistan’s premier art institution, and retired as its Principal. Her work has been exhibited, and she has traveled and lectured extensively all over the world. She has also curated numerous international art shows in England, Europe, the USA, Australia, Japan and India.Salima Hashmi is a recipient of The President’s Award for Pride of Performance, Pakistan.
Arts career
Salima Hashmi is one of the most well-known artists of Pakistan. Besides being an accomplished painter, she taught at Pakistan's prestigious National College of Arts (NCA) for about thirty years and served as the Principal of NCA for four years. In 1999, Salima Hashmi received Pakistan's Pride of Performance award. Today she is the Dean of School of Visual Arts at the newly established Beaconhouse National University in Lahore and she also runs her own art gallery featuring works of young artists.Political Views
Salima Hashmi comes from a socially and politically active family. Her father was the legendary Pakistani poet, Faiz Ahmed FaizFaiz Ahmed Faiz
Faiz Ahmad Faiz was a Pakistani intellectual, poet, and one of the most famous poets of the Urdu language. He was a member of the Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind and an avowed Marxist. In 1962, he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union...
, and her mother, the British-born Alys Faiz
Alys Faiz
Alys Faiz was a British-born naturalized Pakistani poet, writer, journalist, human rights activist, social worker and teacher....
was a respected journalist and peace activist in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. One of two daughters, Salima was always active in the arts, performing in plays before taking on painting professionally.
Salima was about eight years old when Faiz Ahmed Faiz was imprisoned for his political views. She remembers visiting him in jail. Later, during the repressive years of General Zia-ul-Haq rule, Salima's father had to go into self-exile as a result of the harassment he faced by Zia's government. Therefore, Salima grew up in a politically charged atmosphere. Painting became her outlet.
Voice for Women
Zia period is considered one of Pakistan's most repressive era especially for women, implications of which are still prevalent in society today. Salima's work focuses on the suffering of women in a highly patriarchal society especially under Zia-ul-Haq's. Her paintings usually include abstract figures of women depicting their struggles. They are a reflection of Salima's thoughts and feelings regarding the political and social uncertainties under which people of Pakistan have lived.Nuclear Tests Response
Salima deplored the nuclear test conducting by IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
in 1998. In an interview with Humsafar magazine she talked about her series People Wept at Dawn which she says is in response to the nuclear tests. Salima expressed her frustration at the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
nuclear test by saying:
"It would be so much more fruitful if these energies could be used in producing food to eat, providing shelter, freedom from disease and education for all."
Salima Hashmi has also been active in the human rights movement since the early 80s when she was one of the founding members Women's Action Forum, an organization dedicated to promoting women's rights though it has been criticized for being limited to the elite class of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
Quotes
“The objective of art is to give life a shape and though artists cannot change the world they can, through their work, give flight to imagination; they can give you the direction” Salima Hashmi(Article by Laila Kazmi)