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“I would like my audience to re-evaluate their notions and concepts about identity and race, thus understanding that such misconceptions could lead to racism, hate and war.” -Siona Benjamin, 2007 |
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Blue Like Me: Exhibit on Display in the Changing Galleries: December 14th - January 25th
Artist Lecture with Siona Benjamin January 17, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Lecture Admission: $5 Adults, $3 Seniors (65 and older) and Students (with valid id), Free to Hermitage Museum Members Blue Like Me: Recent Work by Siona Benjamin offers an introduction in Benjamin’s series of work devoted to the theme of finding home. A Bene Israel Jew (a group of Jews who migrated in the nineteenth century from west Maharashtra, India’s third largest state, to the nearby cities of Mumbai, Pune, Ahmadabad, and Karachi. Previous to this emigration, Bene Israel Jews were the largest concentration of Jews on the subcontinent.) who attended Catholic and Zoroastrian (of or pertaining to the religious system founded by Zoroaster based on the universal struggle between the forces of light and darkness) schools in Muslim and Hindu India, Benjamin explores issues of identity and belonging through her paintings, questioning what and where “home” is, both spiritually and literally, and the role of art in social change. The show’s title, a take on the final lines of Langston Hughes poem Dream Variations of 1926, illuminates the true focus of this body of work. The striking use of the color blue for the skin of the characters in Benjamin’s work in addition to the use of symbols of both her Jewish Heritage as well as icons of Hinduism work in unison to contribute to a greater discussion of the cultural complexities of identity. Strongly autobiographical, Blue Like Me empowers Benjamin’s role as an artist and presents her realities through a clever combination of pop elements, ancient symbols, humor and political commentary. Blue Like Me: Recent Work by Siona Benjamin is on view in the Hermitage galleries through January 25th. The exhibit is displayed along side pieces from the museum’s own collection. The museum’s permanent holding of Asian Indian art is truly a testament to the subcontinent’s rich and varied history. Boasting 19th century silver repousse bowls, several stone and slate relief carvings, as well as a historic bronze Uma, the Sloane collection exhibits basic elements found in contemporary Asian Indian art, such as those included in the works of Blue Like Me. Blue Like Me: Recent Work by Siona Benjamin is curated by Cheryl Kramer, Director of the Handwerker Galleries at Ithaca College and is sponsored by the Asian Indians of Hampton Roads and Distinctive Event Rentals. For more information on Blue Like Me: Recent Work by Siona Benjamin contact Caitlin Smith, Public Programs Manager, at (757) 423-2052 x 207 or cs@thfm.org. Click Here to read an article on Blue Like Me from the Virginian Pilot.
The Hermitage Foundation Museum |
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