Siona Benjamin Presents GENERATION D: IDENTITES, 12/14

Siona Benjamin's work is at the center of this exhibition celebrating Jewish diversity, Generation D: Identities. A collaboration between the Flomenhaft Gallery, Be'chol Lashon and the Jewish Art Salon, the exhibition showcases the myriad Jewish artistic expression that capture the range of modern Jewish identity and expression.  According to Lacey Schwartz, Be'chol Lashon Director of Outreach, "Partnering with Jewish Art Salon connects to our strong belief in the power of art to get people thinking and talking about issues of Jewish identity."  The range of work, which features more than twenty artists in total, challenges preconceptions about what it means to be Jewish and offers new perspectives on Jewish identity. 

Growing up in Bombay, surrounded by Hindus and Muslims, attending Catholic and Zoroastrian schools, Siona Benjamin's paintings reflect the multitude of cultural and religious traditions that were part of her Jewish childhood.  her artwork is filled with bright colors often associated with Indian art, traditional Jewish images, and strong female figures, expressing the complexities and nuances of modern Jewish identity.

Generation D: Identities is curated by Julian Voloq and Elke Reva Sudin.  "Who is a Jew and what is typically Jewish? In an increasingly diverse American society, American Judaism presents itself in many different forms, and these Judaisms are as multi-layered culturally as they are ethnically or religiously," says Julian Voloj.  "While preconceptions shape our image of ourselves and of "others" and our sense of belonging to a group, this exhibition showing diverse answers to the question of Jewish identity challenge these simplifications."

Other artists include Neil Folberg, also represented by Flomenhaft Gallery, as well as: Ellen Alt, Cheselyn Amato, John Bradford, Grisha Bruskin, Linda Caspe, Shelley English, Maya Escobar, Chava Evans, Alan Falk, Roya Farassat, Sandra Indig, Tobi Kahn, Tine Kinderman, Richard McBee, Jake Mizrahi, Leonore Mizrahi, Zion Ozeri, Joan Roth, Lynn Russell, Naomi Safron-Hon, Micky Schon, Susan Schwalb, Joel Silverstein, Elke Reva Sudin, Yona Verwer, Julian Voloj, Ahron D. Weiner, and Esther Zibell.

Siona Benjamin's work is also currently featured in the solo exhibition Finding Home at The Temple-Tifereth Israel in Cleveland, OH, which is on view until March, and has received a wonderful review from the Cleveland Jewish News.