SANTA CLARA, CA.- The de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University explores the topic of the veil through a provocative exhibition of contemporary women artists. The Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces opened to the public on Jan. 15 and will be on view through March 11.

The veiling of women, men, and sacred places has existed in countless cultures and religions throughout history. Veiling expands far beyond Islam and the Middle East, yet is vastly misunderstood. This traveling exhibition features more than 30 works of art that examine the veil from myriad perspectives. Divided loosely into three thematic sections—the sacred veil, the sensuous veil, and the sociopolitical veil—the show aims to transcend popular clichés and stereotypes about the practice of veiling and to present the subject in a broader and more universal context.

Composed of works by 29 national and international artists, The Veil addresses issues such as modesty, oppression, liberation, freedom of expression, spirituality, nature, and magic. The artists represent diverse backgrounds, spiritual practices, and points of view. Through their work, they challenge, condemn, embrace, and praise the veil.

The Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces is curated by Jennifer Heath and serves as a visual companion to her edited volume, The Veil: Women Writers on its History, Lore, and Politics (University of California Press, 2008). The exhibition features works in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and new media.

Artists in the exhibition include Sama Alshaibi, Elizabeth Bisbing, Christine Breslin, Rebecca DiDomenico, Yassi Golshani, Ana Maria Hernando, Valari Jack, Tania Kamal-Eldin, Shakuntala Kulkarni, Anita Kunz, Judith Selby Lang, Mary Tuma, Kim Turos, and Helen Zughaib.