Siona Benjamin

Author of I Am Hava

ABOUT

Growing up as a Bene Israel Jew in multicultural India, Siona Benjamin read Disney comics, Enid Blyton children’s novels, and Amar Chitra comic books about Indian mythology. In her paintings, Siona combines the imagery of her past with the role she plays in America today, making a mosaic inspired by both Indian miniature paintings and transcultural mythology. Siona is a two-time Fulbright fellowship winner and has two MFA degrees in painting and theater set design. Her work has been featured in publications including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Boston Globe, The Times of India, ArtNews, and The Jerusalem Post.

Today Siona lives in New Jersey, and her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums in India, the US, and Israel. She is the subject of a documentary titled Blue Like Me and a book titled Growing Up Jewish in India: From the Bene Israel to the Art of Siona Benjamin.

You can learn more about Siona and her art at www.artsiona.com