An 18-foot golden sculpture of a feminine figure with ram-horn braids and root-like arms was slated to go up outside Rung for Women in St. Louis’ Fox Park; before its installation, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway weighed in. Hanaway decried the planned installation and said area residents had described the artwork, titled “Witness,” as a “demonic affront to faith,” setting off a clash between state officials and a neighborhood nonprofit over a piece of public art.
The sculpture, created by artist Shahzia Sikander, was installed on a permanent loan from the Gateway Foundation, according to St. Louis Magazine. Rung for Women, described as a career accelerator and development center, said the piece reflects women’s strength, resilience, and determination on their life journey and aligns with Rung’s work, per the same outlet. The Gateway Foundation said it chose “Witness” foremost for its artistic merit and beauty, and secondly for its exploration of women’s autonomy, belonging, and representation in public art.
Hanaway did not stop at calling the work demonic. She also said its arrival in Fox Park happened in secrecy, alleging minimal public notice and no real opportunity for neighborhood input, according to STLtoday.com. She further described the planned location as sitting right between two churches where families gather and worship.
Churches Near the Sculpture
Hanaway had not said what, if any, specific action her office planned to take regarding the installation, the outlet reported…