Hanif Kureshi, saint and bandit of urban Indian street art, a designer, and an advertising expert who lived from October 12, 1982, until September 22, 2024. He was born in Palitana, a town in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district. Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda awarded his degree in arts. At this point, he became interested in street art and typography. 

Kureshi was a well-known participant in the street art movement in India, converting public areas into works of art. Hanif Kureshi’s journey into art began with his interest in typography and design. Over the years, he developed a distinctive style that includes elements from India’s rich cultural heritage, particularly through multilingual scripts and traditional motifs. He became involved in graffiti and street art to challenge the conventional boundaries of where art can exist and who it can speak to.

Life of an Artist Hanif Kureshi-Sheet1
HanifKureshi © https://www.stirworld.com

Career.

As Hanif Kureshi grew up in India, he encountered scripts and languages that influenced his style significantly over time. His interest in making art more inclusive beyond the confines of galleries led him to explore street art and graffiti. He found that urban spaces could serve as canvases to connect with the people, from backgrounds through public art. 

2014 was a turning point in Hanif’s journey as he teamed up with fellow artists and cultural experts to establish the St+art India Foundation. A non-profit organisation committed to supporting creative initiatives. They embarked on initiatives in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru rejuvenating entire localities with murals, graffiti and art installations. Among their undertakings is the Lodhi Art District in Delhi. It represents India’s public art precinct showcasing works by Indian and global artists. 

Life of an Artist Hanif Kureshi-Sheet2
lodhi art district by st+art © https://www.architectureplusdesign.in

Philosophies. 

Hanif Kureshi advocates for art to break free from confines like galleries and exclusive venues by bringing creativity into the everyday through street art interventions that make art reachable to an audience who might not typically engage with it directly in those spaces. At the heart of his endeavours with the St+art India Foundation lies the mission to transform environments into open-air galleries accessible to everyone. His guiding principle underscores the importance of inclusivity in ensuring that art resonates across all levels of society—from city dwellers to communities. 

Kureshi often collaborates with artists from near and far. Engages with communities to involve them in the creative process. By working in this manner, Kureshi aims to emphasise the belief that art is a shared experience, enabling individuals to express their unique identities and dreams.

Life of an Artist Hanif Kureshi-Sheet3
Kannagi art © https://www.mansworldindia.com/currentedition/start-indias-art.

Major endeavours.

  • In the Lodhi Colony of Delhi lies the Lodhi Art District. India’s inaugural open-air public artwork zone where Kureshi and the St+art India Foundation teamed up with artists to convert more than 50 walls of residential structures into impressive murals of grand proportions! This district has evolved into a hub that combines international and regional artistic influences while exploring topics, like Indian lineage and social concerns. The murals were created in partnership with the people living nearby to ensure that the space truly represents the identity of its residents.
Life of an Artist Hanif Kureshi-Sheet4
lodhi art district ©https://www.whatshot.in
  • The Sassoon Dock Art Project, in Mumbai is situated in an area that used to be a dock and fish market and has now been converted into a public art hub by Hanif Kureshi in collaboration with St+art India. They curated the project by blending forms such as murals and installations to breathe new life into this overlooked part of Mumbai. The project brought new life to a historic location and transformed it into a lively hub of culture.
Life of an Artist Hanif Kureshi-Sheet5
sassoon art project © Pranav Gohil https://www.firstpost.com
  • The Chennai cityscape area was remodelled as part of the Kannagi Nagar Art District, an urban revitalisation project led by Kureshi and St+Art India. The project sought to transform a typical working-class neighbourhood into a lively centre, demonstrating the influence of art in empowering underprivileged communities. The displayed artworks effectively capture the neighbourhood’s essence, depicting past struggles and future dreams.
Life of an Artist Hanif Kureshi-Sheet6
kannagi street art  © Pranav Gohil https://www.architecturaldigest.in
  • Kureshi partnered with Daku to craft a mural, at the Delhi Police Headquarters in Delhi that featured typography forming the visages of Indian civilians to represent the bond between law enforcement and society while conveying a message, on civic duty and governance with its size and significance.

Recognition after Death.

Hanif Kureshi sadly passed away in the state of Goa on September 22nd in the year 2024 at the age of 41, after battling lung cancer for over a year now. The remarkable contributions of Hanif Kureshi have been widely acknowledged at home and abroad. His incredible art has been featured in exhibitions and across various media platforms, earning praise for his innovative urban style and dedication to connecting with the community.

Kureshis influence, within the St+art India Foundation, has left a lasting impact by leveraging art to transform perspectives and interactions with surroundings. Through his initiatives, a fresh wave of artists is embracing graffiti, murals and various public art forms as mediums, for narrative and cultural representation.

References:

  1. Wikipedia (2024). Hanif Kureshi [Online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanif_Kureshi  [Accessed October 1, 2024]
  2. STIRworld (2024). All the world’s a graffiti wall: Hanif Kureshi, saint and bandit of urban Indian street art [Online] Available at: https://www.stirworld.com/inspire-people-all-the-world-s-a-graffiti-wall-hanif-kureshi-saint-and-bandit-of-urban-indian-street-art  [Accessed October 1, 2024]
  3. Man’s World India (2024). St+Art India Turns Walls Into Canvases [Online] Available at: https://www.mansworldindia.com/currentedition/start-indias-art  [Accessed October 1, 2024]
  4. Firstpost (2018). Street art comes to Sassoon Docks: Mumbai’s historic fishing district gets a makeover with the St+Art project [Online] Available at: https://www.firstpost.com/living/street-art-comes-to-sassoon-docks-mumbais-historic-fishing-district-gets-a-makeover-with-the-start-project-4227395.html  [Accessed October 1, 2024]
  5. Homegrown (2018). A One-Man Revolution: The Artistic Legacy Of The Late Hanif Kureshi [Online] Available at: https://homegrown.co.in/homegrown-creators/a-one-man-revolution-the-artistic-legacy-of-the-late-hanif-kureshi  [Accessed October 1, 2024]
  6. Architectural Digest India (2020). Kannagi Nagar: A resettlement site transforms into an art district in Chennai [Online Available at: https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/chennai-kannagi-nagar-resettlement-site-transforms-into-art-district-wall-art-graffiti/  [Accessed October 1, 2024]
Author

A passionate architecture student with a love for words. When she’s not designing, you can find her scribbling away in her journal or typing away on her laptop. She believes that architecture and writing share a common goal: to tell stories and connect people.