Earlier this week, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, an 18-foot-tall horned statue at the University of Houston was beheaded. The statue, named “Witness,” has been criticized by Christian and pro-life organizations, which have labeled it as “satanic.” Amidst the severe weather and power outages, the statue was vandalized, with the university asserting that the act was intentional.
“Witness” is part of a larger three-part series titled “Havah… to breathe, air, life” by artist Shahzia Sikander. This controversial piece depicts a naked woman with braids shaped into goat horns and peculiar, tentacle-like arms. The statue also appears to honor the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was known for her strong support of abortion rights.
Kevin Quinn, the executive director of media relations for the University of Houston, commented on the incident, expressing disappointment and noting that the campus police department is actively investigating. “We were disappointed to learn the statue was damaged early Monday morning as Hurricane Beryl was hitting Houston. The damage is believed to be intentional. The University of Houston Police Department is currently investigating the matter,” Quinn stated.
Due to recent protests from pro-life groups, the statue has been under increased surveillance. The backlash led the University of Houston to cancel a scheduled talk by Sikander and the opening celebration for the statue. Sikander, in an interview with the Times, described the vandalism as “a very violent act of hate” and called for it to be investigated as a crime.
Sikander released a statement defending her work, emphasizing its connection to reproductive rights and the ongoing fight for women’s autonomy. “The recent focus on reproductive rights in the United States after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion, comes to the forefront,” Sikander explained. She added, “The enduring power lies with the people who step into and remain in the fight for equality. That spirit and grit is what I want to capture in both the sculptures.”
The artist also highlighted the statue’s tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “In recent surveys, much of the public regards the court as partisan and political in the way it exerts power. The luminous figure is a nod to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as seen in the detail adorning her collar. With Ginsburg’s death and the reversal of Roe, there was a setback to women’s constitutional progress,” Sikander stated.
In addition to the Houston installation, Sikander has another sculpture in New York City known as “Now,” which was influenced by the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The Texas statue has faced substantial backlash from conservative activist groups such as Texas Right to Life.
“Disobedience to God certainly should not be esteemed by society, much less lauded with a statue. On the contrary, art should reflect truth, goodness, and beauty: three timeless values that reveal the nature of God. Art cannot have beauty without truth. Art cannot have truth without goodness,” Texas Right to Life asserted in a statement earlier this year. “A statue honoring child sacrifice has no place in Texas.”
The incident at the University of Houston has ignited a broader debate about the role of public art and its intersection with societal values. As the investigation continues, the community remains divided over the presence and significance of such controversial artworks on campus.
