When one thinks of America, the fusion of culture comes to mind- immigration and cultural diffusion. The Fabric of America art exhibit at the Flomenhaft Galley beautifully captures this essence of America’s underlying immigrant cultures. The gallery was seamlessly curated with a variety of works delicately placed to flow instead of clash from the works inspirations.

 

One colorfully executed story of not only immigration but the mingling of cultures within an individual was Siona Benjamin’s work, a fusion of her Jewish Heritage and Hindu/Muslim culture. Her utilization of layer painting of ornate and vibrant blues and oranges alongside gold flakes depict the mixture of cultures and a modern spin in an intricate and captivating form.

 

Most striking and memorable to my eye was her piece, Finding Home #68 “Lilith.” The contrasting cool and warm tones make the piece stand out against the white walls of Flomenhaft, but the actual image is thought provoking and leaves a lingering tone of eeriness. Benjamin’s work depicts Lilith, the female demon in many Jewish myths, an image of not only power but also rebellion. Lilith is depicted in a rich blue tone wearing a hijab surrounded by fire in a striped outfit reminiscent of prison. The blue tone leaves a connotation of confidence and power. The hijab reinforces the mingling of cultures once again. The fire evokes an eerie tone of fear and is another factor that depicts her power; while the prison outfit makes her appear locked into her surroundings as well as exemplifying her rebellion. It almost seems hell-like as if she were spending time in hell. She is watering plants grounded in roots of Fetuses. This, to me, exemplifies the woman’s role as caretaker, but this, I feel, depicts an evil twist that Lilith holds. The painting is finished with Hebrew letters at the bottom and a style reminiscent of Hindu paintings. The overall additions fuse cultures that Benjamin tries to enforce, and add a new more modern twist on Lilith in which she has a mix of power and ties. She, like a modern day woman is a powerful caretaker yet can be shunned for her dismissal of tradition and almost restricted by this new power limited to the confines of growing children. Overall, Benjamin also builds an image of diffusing cultures in modern society where cultures doesn’t have to be defined or separated but can fuse together to form one individual.