About the Exhibit

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

As a Jewish artist creating cross cultural and transcultural art, Siona Benjamin’s perspective bridges the traditional and the modern, and sparks discourse across cultures. Her paintings are populated by blue-skinned characters, self-portraits of sort, through which she explores ancient and contemporary dilemmas. These characters enact myths from various cultures and religions — becoming symbols of a timeless global identity free of prejudices and boundaries. A Bene Israel Jew from India, now living in the United States, Siona has an MFA in painting from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and an MFA in theater set design from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign.

ABOUT SIONA BENJAMIN

Siona Benjamin has an MFA in painting from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Ill., and an MFA in theater set design from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign. She has exhibited in the United States, Europe and Asia.

She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 2011 to India, and a second Fulbright fellowship in 2016-17 to Israel. As not just a Jewish artist but also as one who crosses cultural boundaries, she’s received praise in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Financial Times, The Boston Globe, Art in America, Art New England, Art and Antiques, ArtNews, Moment magazine, The Times of India, The Mumbai Mirror, Marg Magazine, and other publications. Her multicultural art has also been featured in The Jewish Week in New York City and New Jersey, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel.