Shahzia Sikander Pakistani-American artist Shahzia Sikander standing in front of her sculpture Witness (2023), which was installed in Madison Square Park, New York City, as part of her multimedia installation Havah…to breathe, air, life (2023). The sculpture was decapitated by a vandal the following year when it was installed on the University of Houston campus. (more) Shahzia Sikander Pakistani-American artist Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shahzia-Sikander Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Molly Bryson Molly Bryson is a writer, editor, and researcher. Molly Bryson, Alicja Zelazko Alicja Zelazko is Associate Editor, Arts and Humanities, covering topics in the visual arts, architecture, music, and performance. Before joining Encyclopædia Britannica in 2017, she worked at the Art... Alicja Zelazko•All Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Jan 21, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question Quick Facts Born: March 6, 1969, Lahore, Pakistan (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is Shahzia Sikander known for? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Sikander is known for reviving traditional Indian miniature painting and exploring contemporary concerns such as race, gender, postcolonial identity, and the immigrant experience through sculpture, installation, and animation." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What was Shahzia Sikanderu2019s thesis project at the National College of Arts? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Sikanderu2019s thesis project, The Scroll, is a 5-foot- (1.5-meter-) long watercolor and gouache painting depicting a ghostlike, faceless figure weaving in and out of the rooms in her family home. It addresses themes of youthful restlessness and female freedom." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How did Shahzia Sikanderu2019s work evolve after she moved to the United States? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "After moving to the United States, Sikander developed her visual language further, incorporating such motifs as an abstract female figure with tendrils for arms and legs. She also considered themes of multiculturalism and identity." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What notable awards has Shahzia Sikander received? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Sikander received the MacArthur Fellowship in 2006, the U.S. Department of Stateu2019s Medal of Art in 2012, and the Asia Society Award for Significant Contribution to Contemporary Art in 2015." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What was the controversy surrounding Shahzia Sikanderu2019s sculpture Witness? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The sculpture Witness drew protests from an antiabortion Christian group, which called it u201Csatanic.u201D It was later decapitated at the University of Houston, and Sikander chose not to repair it in order to highlight the fissures in the United States." } } ] } Top Questions What is Shahzia Sikander known for? Sikander is known for reviving traditional Indian miniature painting and exploring contemporary concerns such as race, gender, postcolonial identity, and the immigrant experience through sculpture, installation, and animation.

　　What was Shahzia Sikander’s thesis project at the National College of Arts? Sikander’s thesis project, The Scroll, is a 5-foot- (1.5-meter-) long watercolor and gouache painting depicting a ghostlike, faceless figure weaving in and out of the rooms in her family home. It addresses themes of youthful restlessness and female freedom.

　　How did Shahzia Sikander’s work evolve after she moved to the United States? After moving to the United States, Sikander developed her visual language further, incorporating such motifs as an abstract female figure with tendrils for arms and legs. She also considered themes of multiculturalism and identity.

　　What notable awards has Shahzia Sikander received? Sikander received the MacArthur Fellowship in 2006, the U.S. Department of State’s Medal of Art in 2012, and the Asia Society Award for Significant Contribution to Contemporary Art in 2015.

　　What was the controversy surrounding Shahzia Sikander’s sculpture Witness? The sculpture Witness drew protests from an antiabortion Christian group, which called it “satanic.” It was later decapitated at the University of Houston, and Sikander chose not to repair it in order to highlight the fissures in the United States.

　　Shahzia Sikander (born March 6, 1969, Lahore, Pakistan) is a Pakistani-American artist known for reviving the practice of traditional Indian miniature painting, or the art of illustrating manuscripts. In addition to painting, her work spans sculpture, installation, animation, and performance. It has been celebrated for its high level of detail and layered visual vocabulary that brings historical narratives into conversation with contemporary issues of race, gender, postcolonial identity, and the immigrant experience. When, in 1987, Sikander enrolled in the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan, the effects of British colonization lingered, despite the country’s having gained its independence 40 ...(100 of 1332 words)

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