Pakistani-born artist Shahzia Sikander was quick to highlight on her Instagram feed last month a biting comment from an anonymous social media contributor, who compared Madonna to one of her works. “At the Grammys [held last month in Los Angeles] the satanic ritual performed by Sam Smith was introduced by pop icon Madonna, who ‘coincidentally’ looked like the new pagan statue in New York,” said the disgruntled viewer, who clearly didn’t like the braided hairstyle of Madonna. The “pagan statue” refers to Sikander’s first site-specific outdoor sculptures recently unveiled in New York’s Madison Square Park and on the roof of an adjacent courthouse.
Both statuesque figures have braided hair, much like spiraling ram’s horns, and pose in an arm-akimbo power position. Sikander fired back, saying she was “honored to be in the business of such a pioneering woman. [i.e. Madonna] and the only impious thing here is hatred”. Ouch.
