Shahzia Sikander’s monumental sculpture “Witness” (2023) was found beheaded in the early hours of Monday, July 8, on the University of Houston campus as reported by the New York Times. Standing 18 feet tall, this striking piece depicted a female figure adorned in a hoop skirt and jabot, with braided hair twisted into ram horns and vine-like tendrils. It was installed earlier this year as part of a temporary exhibition.
In February, the piece sparked controversy. Anti-abortion groups denounced the Pakistani-American artist’s work, branding it a “satanic abortion idol,” and threatened to protest its display. The uproar led the university to cancel Sikander’s lecture scheduled for the opening reception.
The vandalism occurred as Hurricane Beryl made landfall along the Texas coast, causing widespread power outages and damage across the campus and city. Shawn Lindsey, the university’s associate vice president of Media Relations, stated that the damage appears intentional. “The University of Houston Police Department is investigating the matter,” Lindsey told Hyperallergic. “Conservators have been called in to assess the necessary repairs. We’ve contacted the artist to expedite the restoration process.”
In a statement to ARTnews, Sikander expressed it was “important to point out the cowardice behind the violent act, trying to cloak the narrative to the storm. I urge the University of Houston to release the footage from the security camera to show that it was intentional hateful vandalism.”
The university has confirmed that the sculpture’s head is in their possession. Despite the damage, they are committed to repairing “Witness” and restoring it to its former glory as swiftly as possible.
