Back
Hanif Kureshi, a visionary force behind the St+art India Foundation, passed away on 22 September at the age of 41 after a battle with cancer. As a co-founder and artistic director of the non-profit organization, he spearheaded transformative art projects throughout Indian cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. His work played a crucial role in democratizing art, bringing it beyond conventional gallery spaces, and he is often hailed as a pioneer in popularizing street art in India.
Kureshi was born in Palitana, a small town in Gujarat, where he developed an early fascination with typography. Despite not having a family background in the arts, his interest was piqued by local sign painters and craftsmen who created number plates. This led him to pursue a degree in visual arts at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. His initial career in advertising didn’t fulfill his aspirations, prompting a pivotal shift towards his true passion.
In 2014, Kureshi, along with Arjun Bahl, Akshat Nauriyal, Giulia Ambrogi, and Thanish Thomas, established St+art India. This collective aimed to make art accessible to the general public. One of their landmark projects involved transforming Delhi's Lodhi Colony by partnering with Asian Paints to create murals. These artworks captured local life and culture, including depictions of residents like a woman who sold parathas. The project engaged over 50 artists from India and abroad.
St+art India also collaborated with government bodies. A lesser-known yet significant project was the creation of a 968-metre-long mural on the Tihar Jail's boundary wall in Delhi. This mural featured verses from a poem titled "Chardiwari" (Four Walls) written by an inmate, with typography changing every 100 meters, executed by local sign printers.
Kureshi's independent art often carried socio-political messages through his graffiti under the pseudonym Daku, meaning "bandit" in Hindi. His provocative works included modifying traffic signs with words like "raping" and "bribing," as well as creating a bold statement titled "THIS IS COMMISSIONED VANDALISM" near the India Art Fair. His work earned him recognition as "India’s Banksy."
Despite his broad influence, typography remained Kureshi's enduring passion. In 2023, he exhibited "Cycle of Time" at the India Art Architecture Design Biennale, highlighting the interplay of words and shadows. His pioneering "Handpainted Type" project documented traditional sign painters' works, encouraging them to create fonts utilized by prominent global companies.
St+art India fondly remembered Kureshi as a community-builder among artists, designers, and creatives, sustaining a legacy of loyalty and innovation. His contributions left a lasting impact on street art and graffiti.
