Corresponding to Siona's exhibition, FACES: Weaving Indian Jewish Narratives, the artist is getting attention not only for her artwork, but her cooking too!

In an interview with The Jewish Daily Forward, Siona Benjamin talks about how she is able to "connect [to] her Indian roots through food and art." Inviting journalist Leah Koening into her home, Siona shared her history growing up in the Bene Israel Community in Mumbai and it's influence on her artwork. During her visit, Siona also taught Leah how to make traditional dishes from Indian Jewish cuisine.

"As an artist who explores notions of home and identity in paintings and mixed media pieces, sensory details matter to Benjamin. 'I cook like I paint, with a palate of colors,' she adds." She even added turmeric to the reds and yellows of her paint in her creation of "Hannah (Munmun) Emanuel Samuel (Pezarkar)," ultimately giving a scent to the work. "Hannah (Munmun) Emanuel Samuel (Pezarkar)" was one of many works Siona Benjamin completed for her Fulbright Project in which she traveled to Mumbai to record the lives of the remaining members of her Bene Israel group.

To read more about Leah Koenig's experience with Siona click here. You can also  click here to hear Siona speak in her interview about her life and her work.

   

June 14 - September 29, 2013: Siona Benjamin featured
at the Museum of Biblical Art in the exhibition As Subject and Object: Contemporary Book Artists Explore Sacred
Hebrew Texts.


The Museum of Biblical Art is located at 1865 Broadway between 61st Street and 62nd Street. 
For more information about this exhibit visit MoBIA's website.