St+art India founder Hanif Kureshi passes away at 41, internet remembers legacy

Visionary artist who created India’s first art district and founded St+Art India Foundation, Hanif Kureshi has passed away at 41 after battling cancer.

He founded Lodhi Art District, India's first art district, with murals by 50 Indian and International artists which transformed the concept of street art in India.

Kureshi is a former ad man who started his career in 2003 as Senior Art Director with Ogilvy. He went on to work for Wieden+Kennedy, eventually founding St+art in 2013.

He was a pioneer of opening up public art spaces for all, calling street “the most important art gallery.” He is remembered for pioneering street art and typography, which he was particularly passionate about.

St+art released a statement on his passing: “It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Hanif Kureshi, our beloved Co-Founder, Artistic Director and artist.

We are gutted and at a loss of words. Hanif was a gifted mentor, collaborator, friend, father and husband. His vision and charisma helped shape the landscape of public art in India with the countless projects he has contributed to.

He was dedicated to nurturing a community of artists, designers and creatives who trusted him with loyal guidance. He was a pioneering figure for graffiti and street art with his tags spread across cities he travelled to.

It has been an honour for the St+Art, XXL and Guerrilla team to have known and worked with Hanif over the past 10 years. He lives on with the profound legacy he leaves behind. It is a void that cannot be filled and we will miss him dearly.

We mourn his passing and pray he rests in peace.”

Tributes started pouring out in Kureshi’s memory when the news of his death broke.

Saddened to learn about the untimely death of artist and founder of StArt India, Hanif Kureshi. He was responsible for the Lodhi street art and many cool projects.

Prayers for his family and friends. #HanifKureshi pic.twitter.com/z0lpnAiXAD

— Abhinandita Dayal Mathur (@abhinandita_m) September 23, 2024

Tragic to hear about the passing of @hanifkureshi. The art world lost a legend.

But in his time here he has left a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.

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For those of you who don’t know about this trailblazing artist’s contribution to Indian art, especially… pic.twitter.com/GRaJKBFRR1

— Angad B Sodhi ? #SUPPORTLIVINGARTISTS (@angadbsodhi) September 23, 2024

1/ If you've ever ambled through Delhi's Lodhi Art District/seen the art at Blore's metro stations - you'll empathise with my heavy heart today

Today we lost the street artist Hanif Kureshi (41) to cancer

He co-founded the St+ART project which made art accessible for all like? pic.twitter.com/bXkXx0yPA5

— enthu-cutlet ? (@_waabi_saabi_) September 23, 2024

RIP my beautiful friend, Hanif Kureshi , artist and former colleague from Ogilvy. I will miss your madness.

(Hanif was the driving force behind the Lodhi art project, amongst other genre defining public art projects in India) pic.twitter.com/fRwKU4kvie

— shubho sengupta (@shubhos) September 23, 2024

Artist and founder of St+art (Street Art) Foundation Hanif Kureshi, who was the creative lead behind starting India's first public art district in Delhi's Lodhi Colony, LODHI ART DISTRICT, passes away. Just a few days back, I went for a walk around Lodhi road flats situated… pic.twitter.com/Rumv7dvmQW

— Ritu Gupta Prashar ऋतु Hritu?? (@RituDreams) September 24, 2024

St+art was one of the best efforts towards adding art into the everyday of Indian urban dwellers.

RIP Hanif Kureshi, hopefully your legacy will live on. https://t.co/Dqgb2EwW49

— Anant (@AnantNoFilter) September 24, 2024

St+art was one of the best efforts towards adding art into the everyday of Indian urban dwellers.

RIP Hanif Kureshi, hopefully your legacy will live on. https://t.co/Dqgb2EwW49

— Anant (@AnantNoFilter) September 24, 2024

Artist and founder of St+art (Street Art) Foundation Hanif Kureshi, who was the creative lead behind starting India's first public art district in Delhi's Lodhi Colony, LODHI ART DISTRICT, passes away. Just a few days back, I went for a walk around Lodhi road flats situated… pic.twitter.com/Rumv7dvmQW

— Ritu Gupta Prashar ऋतु Hritu?? (@RituDreams) September 24, 2024

Artist and founder of St+art Foundation Hanif Kureshi, who was the creative lead behind starting India's first public art district in Delhi's Lodhi Colony, passed away in Goa. pic.twitter.com/vC8Xs3fDY3

— Amandeep Singh ਅਮਨਦੀਪ ਮਿਂਘ (@singhaman1904) September 24, 2024

"For me, streets are a larger kind of canvas that have not one but multiple kinds of audience. I like to play with people’s minds and learn how different people respond to art in different ways."

A tribute to Hanif Kureshi ? pic.twitter.com/i0xytVbVuv

— Kriya Jain (@ek_joota) September 24, 2024

Seeing all of the art @hanifkureshi made possible through @StreetArtIndia across Delhi - like the the many lanes of Lodhi Colony, the platform at Vinobapuri Metro, the Arjangarh & Guru Dronacharya metro facades - is part of why I've loved this city so much. ? https://t.co/FkFAybIHFn pic.twitter.com/jEEjU4JoSP

— Mayukh Nair (@nairmayukh) September 24, 2024