“What if a sculpture could spark debate?” Here we are in front of Witness, a sculpture that has certainly stirred conversation. This thought-provoking artwork is part of a larger exhibition called Havah…to breathe, air, life, by Pakistani American artist Shahzia Sikander.
The Public Art UHS, the University of Houston System’s art organization, is responsible for bringing this piece to our attention. Witness is now a part of their collection. Public Art UHS is the oldest and only collecting arts organization within the University of Houston System.
Witness stands eighteen feet tall. She is a golden female figure. Her arms and legs look like intertwined roots. Sikander says this represents being ungrounded. The figure floats. She resists permanence because she is part of a diaspora. Her home is wherever she chooses.
Notice the braids shaped like ram horns. These connect different ideas and cultures. Ram horns appear in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They also have significance in Central and South Asian beliefs. Often, they symbolize power and valor. Sikander has said the braids link to one of her paintings. This painting represents the courage, fluidity, and resilience of the feminine.
Look closely at her skirt. You’ll see Arabic writing in mosaic, spelling out “havah”. The rings on the skirt resemble lines on a globe. This shows the figure’s authority in the world.
Havah means “air” or “atmosphere” in Urdu. It also means “Eve” in Arabic and Hebrew. Sikander’s work explores cultural connections and how women are represented. She combines artistic traditions from Central and South Asia with modern ideas. Sikander rethinks the history of public art. Women and people of color have been largely missing from that history. She explores how cultural identities overlap.
The arrival of Witness wasn’t without controversy. Some anti-abortion groups claimed it displayed satanic imagery. They also said it promoted abortion rights messaging. An event to introduce the sculpture was canceled. The university said the artist was unavailable. Sikander said she wasn’t the one who canceled.
Texas Right to Life described the sculpture as having “satanic imagery to honor abortion”. They referred to it as an “idol” with “braids shaped like goat horns”. They highlighted an interview where Sikander said her other sculpture was called “NOW” because reproductive rights are under attack.
The university responded with a FAQ document. It justified displaying the statue. They noted Sikander’s awards and her ties to Houston. They said her goal was to “give visibility to groups that have gone unnoticed”. The document admitted some features of Witness are “offensive to some people.”
The university emphasized that displaying art is not a celebration of the artist. It is meant to provide a platform for artistic expression. It encourages critical reflection and exploration of important issues.
The goal is to understand that art can evoke diverse interpretations and emotions. We must find ways to engage in constructive dialogue. Witness is a symbol of strength, resilience, and the ongoing dialogue about culture, identity, and freedom of expression. It encourages us to see the world from different perspectives. It prompts us to think critically about the values we hold dear.