A New Exhibit at the Henry S. Miller Judaica Research Room and Quinn Library, September 15-December 23, 2024
Fordham Libraries and Fordham’s Center for Jewish Studies present the art of Siona Benjamin.
As a Bene Israel Jewish woman from India now living in the United States, Siona Benjamin is a Jewish artist creating cross-cultural and transcultural art. Her perspective bridges the traditional and the modern and sparks discourse across cultures. Having grown up in a Hindu and Muslim society, educated in Catholic and Zoroastrian schools, raised Jewish in India, and now calling America home, Siona Benjamin always has been reflecting on cultural boundary zones.
Her perspective remains transcultural and multicultural at heart, combining the imagery of her past with the role she plays in America today. Her art is a kaleidoscope of images inspired by illuminated manuscripts and multicultural mythology. The blue-skinned characters are a signature feature of Siona Benjamin’s paintings. She sees them as self-portraits of sorts through which she explores ancient and contemporary dilemmas. These characters become symbols of a timeless global identity free of prejudices and boundaries.
Siona Benjamin is an artist originally from Bombay, now living and working in Montclair, New Jersey. 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 Jewish and Christian illuminated manuscripts.
The exhibit was curated by Amy Levine-Kennedy and Magda Teter
About the Artist:
Siona Benjamin is an artist originally from Bombay, now living and working in Montclair, New Jersey. 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 Jewish and Christian illuminated manuscripts.
Exhibition opening is on Sunday, September 15th at 3PM at the Walsh Family Library, Henry S. Miller Judaica Research Room and the O’Hare Special Collections and Archives. REGISTER HERE.
The exhibit will be on view at the Henry S. Miller Judaica Research Room on the 4th floor of the Walsh Family Library, Monday-Friday, 10AM-5PM. A smaller satellite exhibit of Siona Benjamin’s prints is in the Quinn Library at Lincoln Center (3rd floor) whenever the library is open.