Siona Benjamin is a painter from Mumbai, now living in the US. Her work reflects her background of being brought up Jewish in a Hindu and Muslim India. She has a MFA in painting and a second MFA in Theater set design. She has exhibited her work in the US, Europe and Asia. Siona does private and public art commissions, while also selling and exhibiting in galleries and museums. She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 2011 to India and a second Fulbright in 2017 to Israel. Her work has been featured in: The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Financial Times, The Jewish Week, The Boston Globe, Art New England, Art and Antiques, ArtNews, The Times of India, The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel and several others. A documentary was made on her work: Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin She has three children’s books recently published which she has illustrated and Growing Up Jewish in India where her work is featured and edited by Prof Ori Soltes. _Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_ Artist website: _Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_ Art merchandise: _Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_

Siona Benjamin

Siona Benjamin is a painter from Mumbai, now living in the US. Her work reflects her background of being brought up Jewish in a Hindu and Muslim India. She has a MFA in painting and a second MFA in Theater set design. She has exhibited her work in the US, Europe and Asia. Siona does private and public art commissions, while also selling and exhibiting in galleries and museums. She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 2011 to India and a second Fulbright in 2017 to Israel. Her work has been featured in: The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Financial Times, The Jewish Week, The Boston Globe, Art New England, Art and Antiques, ArtNews, The Times of India, The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel and several others. A documentary was made on her work: Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin She has three children’s books recently published which she has illustrated and Growing Up Jewish in India where her work is featured and edited by Prof Ori Soltes. _Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_ Artist website: _Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_ Art merchandise: _Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_

Available to hire

Siona Benjamin is a painter from Mumbai, now living in the US. Her work reflects
her background of being brought up Jewish in a Hindu and Muslim India.
She has a MFA in painting and a second MFA in Theater set design. She has
exhibited her work in the US, Europe and Asia.
Siona does private and public art commissions, while also selling and exhibiting in
galleries and museums.
She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 2011 to India and a second Fulbright in
2017 to Israel.
Her work has been featured in: The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The
Philadelphia Inquirer, The Financial Times, The Jewish Week, The Boston Globe,
Art New England, Art and Antiques, ArtNews, The Times of India, The Jerusalem
Post, The Times of Israel and several others.
A documentary was made on her work: Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin
She has three children’s books recently published which she has illustrated and
Growing Up Jewish in India where her work is featured and edited by Prof Ori
Soltes. Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup
Artist website: Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup Art merchandise: Website not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Visiting Professor at Drew University
June 1, 2007 - September 14, 2025
Taught courses in visual arts, mentored students, and contributed to curriculum development within the Art Department.
Adjunct Instructor at School of Art and Design, Southern Illinois University
December 31, 2002 - September 14, 2025
Taught courses on contemporary Asian art in the diaspora and prepared lectures for undergraduate and graduate students.
Visiting Assistant Professor at Trinity College
December 31, 2003 - September 14, 2025
Studio arts instruction and related courses; contributed to department pedagogy and student mentoring.
Associate Curator at The William Benton Museum of Art, University of Connecticut
May 15, 2004 - September 14, 2025
Co-curated Masala: Diversity and Democracy in South Asian Art; oversaw planning and execution of the exhibition.
Artist in Residence at SAR Jewish High School
December 31, 2009 - September 14, 2025
Torah Ark design and painting; facilitated art projects with students, integrating cultural narratives.
Artist in Residence at Milwaukee Jewish Museum
June 20, 2022 - September 14, 2025
Residency and accompanying exhibits/workshops as part of the Beyond Borders/Transcultural theme.
Artist Residency and Solo Exhibition at Centre College and the Norton Center for the Arts
May 29, 2022 - September 14, 2025
Residency and solo exhibition, project development and public programming.
Artist in Residence at Cleveland State University Art Galleries
March 3, 2023 - September 14, 2025
Artist residency with a concurrent solo exhibition exploring transcultural narratives.
Fulbright Scholar Fellowship at Fulbright Program (India)
January 1, 2011 - October 16, 2025
Conducted research, interviews and videotaped members of the Indian Jewish community for the art project Faces: Weaving Indian Jewish Narratives.
Fulbright Senior Scholar Fellowship at Fulbright Program (Israel)
January 1, 2017 - October 16, 2025
Conducted research, interviews and videotaped members of the Indian Jewish community for art project From Motherland to Fatherland: Transcultural Indian Jews in Israel.
Artist in Residence at LABA at 14th Street Y
December 31, 2014 - October 16, 2025
Year-long artist residency; theme centered on Mothers; produced large-scale installation and related works.
Visiting Professor at Drew University
May 31, 2007 - October 16, 2025
Visiting Professor in Studio Arts; teaching and studio guidance during Spring semester 2007.
Visiting Assistant Professor at Trinity College
May 31, 2003 - October 16, 2025
Studio Arts Program; Spring 2003.
Associate Curator at William Benton Museum of Art, University of Connecticut
May 31, 2004 - October 16, 2025
Co-curated and contributed to the exhibition Masala: Diversity and Democracy in South Asian Art; assisted in exhibition development.
Lecturer at Southeastern Missouri State University
December 31, 2002 - October 16, 2025
Lecturer in Studio Art; taught courses focusing on Contemporary Asian Art in the Diaspora; 1996-2002.
Artist in Residence at SAR Jewish High School
December 31, 2009 - October 16, 2025
Artist in residence; designed Torah Ark; conducted art workshops with students; works permanently installed.
Exhibition/Commission at Temple Museum of Religious Art, Temple Tifereth Israel
February 15, 2011 - October 16, 2025
Solo Exhibition at Temple Tifereth Israel, Cleveland, OH (Nov 15, 2010 – Feb 15, 2011).
Megillah Esther Commission at Private Commission
June 30, 2011 - October 16, 2025
Esther Scroll (Megillah) illuminated in Indian/Persian miniature and manuscript style for a private commission.
Torah Ark Curtain Design at CRC Synagogue
December 31, 2022 - October 16, 2025
Designed a Torah Ark curtain for Central Reform Congregation; additional synagogue commissions and artworks produced.
Illuminated Ketubah at Private Client
December 31, 2021 - October 16, 2025
Illuminated Ketubah (wedding contract) for private client.
Exhibition - Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin at Center College / Norton Center for the Arts
December 31, 2022 - October 16, 2025
Artist presentation and exhibition related activities for the show; includes public programs and talks.

Education

MFA (Theater Set Design) at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
August 1, 1991 - December 1, 1993
MFA at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
August 1, 1986 - August 1, 1989
Diploma in Metals (Enameling) at JJ School of Art, Bombay
June 1, 1981 - May 1, 1983
Apprenticeship in Photography at JJ School of Art, Bombay
June 1, 1981 - May 1, 1982
Diploma in Fine Arts at JJ School of Art, Bombay
June 1, 1976 - May 1, 1981
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
August 1, 1991 - December 1, 1993
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
August 1, 1986 - August 1, 1989
Diploma in Fine Arts at J.J. School of Art, Bombay, India
June 1, 1976 - May 1, 1981
Diploma in Metals (Enameling) at J.J. School of Art, Bombay, India
June 1, 1981 - May 1, 1983
Apprenticeship in Photography at J.J. School of Art, Bombay, India
January 11, 2030 - October 16, 2025

Qualifications

Fulbright Scholar Fellowship to India
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011
Fulbright Scholar Fellowship to Israel
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2017
Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture Grant
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2001

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other