St. Kate's only Midwest stop for international art exhibition
"Evening Glow," by Sharifah Fatimah Syed Zubir. (Malaysia). Acrylic on canvas. (120 x 130 cm, 1991).

St. Kate's only Midwest stop for international art exhibition

By Julie Michener
Nov. 6, 2009

The F.R. Bigelow Foundation and Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation have made grants to support community outreach and programming for the upcoming exhibition, "Breaking the Veils: Women Artists from the Islamic World."

St. Catherine University's Catherine G. Murphy Gallery will be the only regional site of this compelling international art exhibition that challenges contemporary stereotypes about the lives of women in the Islamic world and celebrates their artistic contribution in shaping a rich cultural heritage.

"Breaking the Veils: Women Artists from the Islamic World" is organized by the ArtReach Foundation, Royal Society of Fine Arts Jordan and the Pan-Mediterranean Women Artists Network, Greece (Femme-Art-Méditerranée, or "FAM").

"Breaking the Veils: Women Artists from the Islamic World"
Feb. 6 – April 1, 2010

Catherine G. Murphy Gallery Visual Arts Building
St. Catherine University
2004 Randolph Ave.,
St. Paul, MN 55105

More information:
(651) 690-6644

The exhibition has been shown in 16 European cities and Australia during the last five years to advance cross-cultural understanding and dialogue.

“The art in this exhibition offers us insights into the lives of women in the Islamic world,” said Kathleen Daniels, director of the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery. “It illustrates how art can break down stereotypes, transform us and deepen our understanding of the global community.”

All works come from the collection of the Royal Society of Fine Arts of Jordan, founded by Princess Wijdan Al-Hashemi, who also serves as president of the society. An artist herself, the Princess has several works included in the exhibition.


“Games, Toys, Children, War, Love Series.” Tomur
Atagök, (Turkey). Mixed media on paper.
(66 x 96 cm, 2000).
“'Breaking the Veils: Women Artists from the Islamic World" features work from 51 women artists from the Islamic world.

"They work in different media and styles. They have had different life experiences, and they come from more than 20 different countries. What they have in common is the "essence of Islamic art, of all art," says Her Majesty Queen Rania-Al Abdullah of Jordan.

“It is the spirit of creativity and humanity," she explains. "Real art connects. It connects us with ourselves and one another.

"It leads us to discover new truths and helps to illuminate the humanity we share. The work of these artists light up not only the Islamic world, but the human world as well. Through this exhibit they are helping to break the veils of misunderstanding and ignorance.”

“Rhomb,” Najia Mehadji, (Morocco). Linoleum cut print.
(30 x 60 cm, 1993).


U.S. showings of exhibition
The ArtReach Foundation was selected by the Royal Society of Fine Arts of Jordan to be the presenting organization of this unique exhibition.

It debuted at the Clinton Foundation's Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark., in June 2008.

Additional U.S. exhibition sites include:
  • University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., fall 2008
  • John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., winter 2009
  • Yale University Council on Middle East Studies, Sept. 8 - Dec. 11, 2009.

    Contact Julie Michener, (651) 690-6521

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