Siona Benjamin is a painter originally from Bombay, now living in the US. Her work reflects her background of being brought up Jewish in a predominantly Hindu and Muslim India. In her paintings she combines the imagery of her past with the role she plays in America today, making a mosaic inspired by both Indian miniature paintings and Sephardic icons.
She has her first MFA in painting and a second MFA in Theater set design.
She has exhibited extensively in the USA, Europe and Asia.
Recent Awards, press and documentary film:
She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 2010-11 for art project titled: Faces: Weaving Indian Jewish Narratives. Siona received a second Fulbright fellowship in 2016-17 to Israel and her project is titled – From Motherland to Fatherland: Transcultural Indian Jews in Israel.
Her work has been featured in: The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Financial Times, The Jewish Week in NYC and NJ, The Boston Globe, Art in America, Art New England, Art and Antiques, ArtNews, Moment magazine, The Times of India, Marg Magazine, The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel and several news papers, magazines, journals and books.
“Growing up Jewish in India: From the Bene Israel to the Art of Siona Benjamin” editor: Professor Ori Z. Soltes from Georgetown University, DC. The book is a memoir on growing up Jewish in India with essays on Siona’s Fulbright work in India and Israel, plus her other series of works. – Upcoming
Selected solo exhibits listed till 2013
“Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin” at the Art and Design gallery at Sacred Heart University – Fairfield CT (Feb 17th to March 13th 2020) – Upcoming
“Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin” at the JCC, La Jolla CA (Feb 25 – May 31 2019) – Upcoming
“Blue Like Me” solo exhibitat The Ario and Tess Hymes Judiaca museum at Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn Heights NY on Sept 22nd to Dec 6th 2019.
“Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin” at the William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art, Kwan Fong Gallery of Art and Culture, California Lutheran University (Feb 15 -April 12 2018).
“Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin” at Memphis Jewish Community Center, Memphis, TN (Oct 1 – 30 2018)
“Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin” at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center San Rafael, CA www.marinjcc.org (October 3, 2017-January 5, 2018).
“Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin” at Peninsula Jewish Community Center Foster City, CA www.pjcc.org (July 10 to Sept 19 2017)
“Siona Benjamin: Beyond Borders” at ACA Galleries, New York (March 9 – April 22 2017) (catalog)
Solo Exhibition at Neve Schecter, Tel Aviv Israel (Dec 22 2016 to Feb 22 2017) – (catalog)
“Siona Benjamin: Beyond Borders” at ACA Galleries, New York (March 9 – April 22 2017) (catalog)
Solo Exhibition at University of North Texas (Mar 3 – April 2 2016)
“Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin” Gershman Y in Philadelphia (September 18 – December 19th 2014).
“Faces: Weaving Indian Jewish Narratives” Flomenhaft Gallery, New York (March 6-April 26 2014)
“Faces: Weaving Indian Jewish Narratives” at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum) in Mumbai India. (Sept 30 – Oct 20 2013)
“Blue Like Me: The Paintings of Siona Benjamin” at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Stockton College Art Gallery. (Jan 22 – Mar 27 2013)
“Blue Like Me: The Paintings of Siona Benjamin” at Towson University, Asian Arts and Culture Center, Towson MD. (April 6 – May 11 2013)
Recent Awards, press and documentary film:
She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 2010-11 for art project titled: Faces: Weaving Indian Jewish Narratives. Siona received a second Fulbright fellowship in 2016-17 to Israel and her project is titled – From Motherland to Fatherland: Transcultural Indian Jews in Israel.
The Jewish Art Salon (JAS) is a 501.c.3 non-profit organization. It is a global network of contemporary visual artists and art professionals. Established in 2008 and based in New York City, JAS has over 400 members and over 2,000 participants. Through its 60+ shows, events and collaborations in the US, Europe and Israel, JAS has reached approximately 30,000 individuals since its inception. JAS provides important programs and resources, and develops lasting partnerships with the international art community and the general public.
