Zarina (1937 - 2020)

Zarina began her day by peeling and eating the seven almonds she had soaked in water overnight.

She hated eggs but ate them regularly for breakfast.

“Good protein.”

With a slice of brioche.

And tea of course. That Renu brought from India.

Only Renu’s tea.

Found writing emails tedious but never left one unanswered.

Wanted to make art, read, and look at art.

Knew exactly how her paper was made.

Carved her own blocks.

Didn’t believe in test prints.

“Don't assume you’ll get it wrong.”

Called watercolor monotypes “squashed paintings.”

Rarely listened to music.

Met minimalism at Fatehpur Sikri.

Never forgot the texture of a ruin.

Took the ceiling furrier hooks in her Chelsea apartment down herself when she moved in in 1976.

Was tidy.

Organized.

Never wanted an off-site studio.

Overused her label maker.

Grew bamboo in water, in a square vase filled with clear glass beads.

Had Trader Joe’s orchids that blossomed annually.

Would ask if you were hungry when she was hungry.

Cooked us elaborate meals on her countertop hot plate.

Insisted on not working during lunch and tea.

Detested disposable cutlery.

Complained that we spent the whole day drinking tea.

Would buy your favorite biscuits.

Washed and reused ziplocks.

Enjoyed attending and throwing a party.

Wore black or gold nail polish exclusively.

Loved her short white hair.

Often dressed like her art.

Wore Serge Lutens Fleurs d’Oranger.

Always made time for young artists.

Would read the book you mentioned in passing.

Would indulge gossip with mock-disapproval.

Chuckled at inappropriate jokes.

Cracked many more herself.

Respected Liz’s tattoo.

Pretended to be offended when you called her an old fox.

Never stopped roasting me for saying I enjoyed ‘Pretty Woman’. Once.

Reserved Friday afternoon for prayer.

Saturdays for seeing art.

Loved talking to museum guards and gallery receptionists. Always remembered their names.

Saved every artwork she was gifted.

Signed both pieces of the sculpture we accidentally broke and gifted them to Yukari and I.

Was loyal to her hairdresser, manicurist, bakery, and dealers.

Overpaid her housekeeper on principle.

Taught herself French.

Loved technology.

Told me she did not know the meaning of the word ‘afraid’.

Was a Muslim artist.

Was a teacher.

Liked eating chocolate ice cream at night.

Often stayed up later than she wanted going down YouTube rabbit holes.

Never stopped missing her sister, Rani.

Recited Urdu couplets even after the Alzheimer’s had set in.

Was happiest with Saima and Imran.

Was ready

 This piece is a memorial for contemporary artist Zarina and was published in Art Asia Pacific Issue 119 July/August 2020 (print & online). Zarina was once my boss and will always be my family.