News 

Influential Pakistani artist and anti-nuclear weapon activist awarded Honorary Doctorate of Bath Spa University

Wednesday, 9 November, 2016

Artist, writer and activist, Professor Salima Hashmi, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Bath Spa University at a ceremony in Bath Abbey last week for her significant contribution within contemporary art, education, politics, and society.

Professor Hashmi is widely acknowledged as one of Pakistan’s foremost artists and author on contemporary art. She has helped numerous young unknown artists exhibit their work internationally, and has championed the extraordinary achievements of female artists in Pakistan. She also works tirelessly with organisations such as the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan to bring peace between Pakistan and India to promote tolerance and to improve conditions in the country.

The Government of Pakistan awarded Salima the President's Medal for Pride of Performance for Art Education in 1999 and the Australian Council of Art and Design Schools nominated her as Inaugural International Fellow for distinguished service to art and design education in 2011.

Professor Hashmi was proposed by Professor Anita Taylor, Dean of Bath School of Art and Design and presented with her Honorary Doctorate by Bath Spa University’s new Chancellor, Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons.

Bath Spa University is a higher education institution based in the World Heritage City of Bath in South West England. One of its founding institutions was Bath Academy of Art where Professor Hashmi graduated in 1965 with a Diploma in Art Education.

In her proposal speech, Professor Anita Taylor said: “Salima Hashmi is widely acknowledged as one of Pakistan’s foremost artists. She has consistently tested artistic boundaries and encouraged others to do the same.

“She has been a leading advocate of contemporary Pakistani art, curating international art exhibitions in the UK, Europe, the USA, Australia, Japan and India; and writing extensively on the arts, reflecting the activist positions visual practitioners have taken up to do with regional conflicts, gender, violence and other social issues.

“Salima Hashmi is a dynamic leader, regaling others with lively anecdotes and opinions, inflected by her passion, humour and piercing observations. She has made a significant contribution within contemporary art, education, politics and society; and we, at Bath Spa University, are proud to be associated with her.”

After studying at Bath Academy of Art, Salima went on to become a celebrated educator and curator. She returned to teach at the National College of Arts in Lahore for 31 years, becoming the Principal, and then going on to become the Dean of Visual Arts at Beaconhouse National University, a liberal arts university in Lahore.

Speaking about her time at the Bath Academy of Art, Salima said: “During my time here I was encouraged to move freely between artistic disciplines and assert my independence. This allowed me to move between mediums and learn from a variety of studio practitioners, including artists like Howard Hodgkin, Adrian Heath, Henry Mundy, Sheila Hicks and Robyn Denny.

Speaking on her award, Professor Hashmi said: “I am delighted and honoured to be welcomed into the fellowship of Bath Spa University. The time has come for all communities to actively take part in public affairs. To think carefully about the path one follows and the choices one makes. Thank you Bath Spa for hosting people like myself from across the planet.”