Sculptor Shamim Sikder passes away

Bangladesh desk: Valiant freedom fighter and renowned sculptor Shamim Sikder passed away at a city hospital on Tuesday at the age of around 70.

She breathed her last around 4.30 pm while undergoing treatment at United Hospital, family members said.

Shamim Sikder, youngest sister of late Communist leader Siraj Sikder, had long been suffering from various health complications, including heart and kidney diseases.

She lived in the United Kingdom for a long time. After returning home, she fell sick and got admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital where she had undergone treatment for more than three months.

Born on October 22 in 1952, the sculptor was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2000 by the government of Bangladesh.

In 1974, Shamim built a sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka Central Jail.

Her other notable works are: Shoparjito Shadhinota (1990) and Swadhinata Sangram (1999).

Shamim enrolled at Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts at the age of 15. In 1976, she moved to Sir John Cass School of Art in London.

She served as a faculty member at Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka during 1980-2001.