DIASPORA ARTIST
  • Home
  • About
  • In Thy Tent I Dwell
  • Made of Blood & Gold
  • Film
  • Published Books
  • Innerverse
  • Diaspora Creature
  • FedExile
  • 5 Madonnas in Exile
  • Metanarratives
  • A Stranger in a Strange Land
  • Exile Archetypes
  • The Crushed Series
  • The Illuminatur Project
  • Contact
  • Étreinte Océan

Biography

Jônatas Chimen (b. 1981), known simply as Jônatas, is a Brazilian-American symbolist and multimedia artist based in Paris. His work explores themes of identity, migration, and cultural hybridity through a synthesis of classical techniques and emerging technologies. Drawing from his Sephardic heritage and a family history shaped by exile—from the Iberian Inquisition to modern diasporas—he merges Spanish realist painting with film, personal archives, and, in select works, artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Jônatas’s visual language often engages memory, displacement, and belonging, producing immersive narratives that resonate across cultural and temporal boundaries. He has exhibited internationally in museums, biennials, and galleries. In 2025, he was featured in the 12th Latin America Week in Paris with Étreinte Océan, a multimedia installation created with Maria Cosatto and supported by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. He holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, an MFA from Florida International University, and co-founded the Jada Art Movement.
CURRICULUM VITAE
​
SOLO ART EXHIBITS
​2020, Installation, In Thy Tent I Dwell 15th Manifestation, Claremont College, Claremont, California, USA
2018, Installation, 5 Madonnas in Exile (or, The Refugee Cathedral of the Ascending Bull, Broward College, Pembroke Pines, Florida, USA
2018, Performance, Stream of Conscience Action Drawing, Kspace Exhibit Space, Aventura, Florida, USA
2018, Installation, In Thy Tent I Dwell 14th Manifestation, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
2018, Two-Dimensional, The Collage Collection, The Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
2018, Installation, In Thy Tent I Dwell 13th Manifestation, Tess Hyams Museum, Roslyn Heights, New Jersey, New York, USA
2018, The Traveling Paper Collection, Newark, New York, USA
2018, Installation, In Thy Tent I Dwell 12th Manifestation, Emeth Art Museum, Teaneck, New Jersey, USA
2018, The Paper Collection, Harriet Bograd Art Space, Manhattan, New York, USA
2018, The Monotype Collage Collection, Kulanu Exhibit, South Orange, New Jersey, USA
2017, The Baba Yaga Collection, Osme Space Miami Art Week, Wynwood Miami, Florida, USA
2016, Anniversary of Permanent Collection, The Spine Center, Hollywood, Florida, USA
2016, Dum Spiro Spero, Art Gallery at the School of International and Public Affairs, Florida International University, Miami, USA
2016, A Painter and a Ballerina part II, San Paul Art Gallery, Wynwood Miami, Florida, USA
2016, A Painter and a Ballerina part I, San Paul Art Gallery, Wynwood Miami, Florida, USA
2016, In Thy Tent I Dwell Installation, The Jewish Museum of Florida, Miami, Florida, USA
2016, The Visual Narrative on the Wandering Sephardi, Art Space at Temple Moses, Miami, Florida, USA
2016, Performance, San Paul Art Gallery, Wynwood Miami, Florida, USA
2016, The Journey Series, JMOF Museum, Florida International University, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
2016, Flamenco Sephardit, Emanu-El Art Gallery, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
2015, I Am Diaspora, Miami Art Week, Emanu-El Art Gallery, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
2015, Artist of the Year Exhibit – Journey: A Visual Narrative, The Anti-Defamation League, Boyton Beach, Florida, USA
2015, Multimedia Exhibit, SCJS Conference, Miami, Florida, USA
2015, The White Party, Emanu-El Art Gallery, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
2012, Multimedia Art Collection, Art Space at Orpheum Theaters, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
2012, Seraphine, Yahara Bay Art Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
2012, Social Justice, The Pyle Center Exhibit, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
2012, Multi Collection Exhibit, The Barbara Hochberg Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
2009, Shawl Exhibit, Jonny Del’Art Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
2009, Shawls, Art Expo NY, New York, New York, USA
2008, Multimedia Exhibit, Jonny Del’Art Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
2008, Origins, Jonny Del’Art Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
2005, Textile in Oil Serie, The Art Studio Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
2005, The Original Collection, Art Space Gaucho, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA
2005, Marionets, The Art Studio Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida, USA

GROUP ART EXHIBITS
2022, JADA Art Fair, Miami Art Week, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
2022, JADA Art Fair, Paris Art Week, Paris, France
2021, JADA Art Fair, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
2021, JADA Art Fair, Paris Art Week, Paris, France
2020, JADA Art Fair, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
2020, JADA Art Fair, Paris Art Week, Paris, France
2019, JADA Art Fair, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
2019, JADA Art Fair, Paris Art Week, Paris, France
2018, Inside Out, United Nations Headquarter, New York City, New York, USA
2018, For She is Queen, Saphira & Ventura, New York City, New York, USA
2017, Wandering Masters Art Salon, Immersive Art Miami, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
2017, Made by Slaves, Miami Art Week, Casa Mundo Miami Gallery, Miami, Florida, USA
2017, Miami River Art Fair, Miami Art Week, Miami Convention Center, Miami, Florida, USA
2017, The Art Salon: The Naked Eye - Miami River Art Fair, Oakland Park, Florida, USA
2017, The Jerusalem International Biennial, Jerusalem, Israel
2016, San Paul Art Gallery, Miami Art Week, Miami, Florida, USA
2016, Superfine! Art Fair, Miami Art Week, Miami, Florida, USA
2016, Individuality, Icon Bay Art Exhibit, Miami, Florida, USA
2016, In Thy Tent I Dwell, The Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum, Miami, Florida, USA
2015, “13”, The Laundromat Art Space, Miami, Florida, USA
2014, Art Auction, St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala , Downtown Miami, Florida, USA
2013, Processing Identity, Miami Beach Urban Studios, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
2012, Masonic Art, Yahara Bay Art Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
2012, Raw Artists, Majestic Theater Art Exhibit, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
2012, Enrique's Journey: A Visual Response Show, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
2011, Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
2010, Art Auction, East Boca Chabad, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
2009, Gallery 51, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
2009, Art Expo NY, New York, New York, USA
2008, Art Auction, Leslie Opera Center, Las Olas, Florida, USA
2007, Gallery 22, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
2007, The Gardens Memorial, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
2006, Le Salon Des Refuses, The Paradox of Affluence, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
2005, Genesis Art Gallery, Las Olas, Florida, USA
2004, Annual Student Group Exhibit, The Art Institute of Weston, Weston, Florida, USA
2003, Annual Student Group Exhibit, The Art Institute of Weston, Weston, Florida, USA
2002, Annual Student Group Exhibit, The Art Institute of Weston, Weston, Florida, USA
2001, Annual Student Group Exhibit, The Art Institute of Weston, Weston, Florida, USA

EDUCATION

2016 – Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts. School of Art & Architecture, Florida International University
2012 – Bachelor of Arts in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC POSITIONS

2016 – 2022 – Professor of Art History, Art Appreciation, and Studio Art at the Department of Arts,
Humanities, Communication, & Design of Broward College. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
2012 - Visual Arts Instructor, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

PUBLICATIONS

Books
2018 – The Innerverse. Immersive Art Miami. Print.
2016 – In Thy Tent I Dwell – An Immigrant's Home: From the Spanish Inquisition to Today. Published by Immersive Art Miami. Print.
2012 – El Libro Rojo. Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Print.

Art Critique & Art History Articles
2022 – The Being and the Becoming of Today’s Formidable Artist. Colecta Art Magazine Issue #6
2022 – The Role of the Artist in the Age of Metaverse: An Introduction to the Idea. Colecta Art Magazine Issue #5
2021 – Déjà Vu a Paris: The Theory of Colliding Universes and the Rise of New Histories. Colecta Art Magazine Issue #4
2021 – The New Babylonian Generation at the Cusp of the Great Reset. Colecta Art Magazine Issue #3
2021 – Legitimizing Optimism: The Creative Zeitgeist of the 2020s. Colecta Art Magazine Issue #2
2020 – Future Scenarios. Colecta Art Magazine Issue #1

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
2018 -- Jonatas Chimen Dias DaSilva-Benayon, Pirkei Avot and In Thy Tent I Dwell. Protocols Journal Issue #4. Digital &  Print.
2015 – Jonatas Chimen Dias DaSilva-Benayon, Understanding the Artistic Language of Conversos. JOSPIC-J, School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University. Print.
2014 – Jonatas Chimen Dias DaSilva-Benayon, The Spanish Law of Return: Between Traumas and Wonders. JOSPIC - J, School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International. Print.
2013 – Jonatas Chimen Dias DaSilva-Benayon, A Look into the Early History of the Sephardic Masonic Heritage. JOSPIC-J, School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International. Print.
2012 – Jonatas Chimen Dias DaSilva-Benayon, The Life and Death of a Marrano Dramatist from Colonial Brazil. JOSPIC-J, School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International. Print.
2011 – Jonatas Chimen Dias DaSilva-Benayon, Past and Present Reflections of the Sephardic Experience in the Caribbean. JOSPIC-J, School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International. Print.
2010 – Jonatas Chimen Dias DaSilva-Benayon, An Insight on How Artists May Achieve Financial Sustainability and Actively Participate in Society. Undergraduate Symposium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Print.
2010 – Jonatas Chimen Dias DaSilva-Benayon, Returnees in Brazil in 2009-2010. JOSPIC-J, School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International. Print.

Review Articles
2010 – Jonatas Chimen Dias DaSilva-Benayon, Book Review on Discovering Your Sephardic Ancestors and Their World, by Jeffrey Malka. JOSPIC-J, School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International. Print.

Research Experience
2019 - 2023 – Research on Iberian Heraldry for the Armorial of the Dias DaSilva-Benayon Family
2018 - Co-Editor of JOSPIC-J Research Journal. Professor Dr. Abraham Lavender. Florida International University.
2010 - 2017 – Research Journal Assistant of JOSPIC-J. Professor Dr. Abraham Lavender. Florida International University.
2010 – Research Assistant. Professor Leslie Nelson. University of Wisconsin-Madison.
 
GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2012 – 2013 – Jonathan Symon Fellowship, Florida International University
2009 - 2010 – Honor Society Phi Theta Kappa, Broward Community College

INVITED TALKS
2020 - “Critiques” Master of Fine Arts Department. Claremont Graduate University. Claremont, California, USA. February
2020 - "In Thy Tent I Dwell” Chicano Latino Student Affairs. Claremont College. Claremont, California, USA. February
2018 - “A Paradigm Shift Through Art” at the Visual Arts Press Awards. Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. June.
2018 - “Stream of Consciousness Action Drawing.” Kspace. Aventura, Florida, USA. May
2018 - “A Hidden Heritage.” Rimon Art Salon. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. April
2018 - “The Metanarratives of Jonatas Chimen.” Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. April
2018 - “Talk on In Thy Tent I Dwell.” The Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center. Tucson, Arizona, USA. April.
2018 - “Returning Home.” Tess Hyams Museum. Roslyn Heights, New Jersey, USA. March
2018 - “The Travelling Paper.” Kulanu Artist-in-Residence. Newark, New York, USA. February.
2018 - “Art Talk.” The Art Museum of Temple Emeth. Teaneck, New Jersey, USA. June.
2018 - “The Innerverse Book Release Talk.” Emanu-El Exhibit. Staten Island, New York, USA. January.
2018 - “Lecture on the Paper Collection.” Harriet Bograd Residence. Manhattan, New York, USA. January.
2018 - “The Monotype Collage Collection.” Kulanu"; Scholar-in-Residence. South Orange, New Jersey, USA. January.
2017 - “The Artistic Language of Crypto-Jews”. Conney Conference. University of Wisconsin-Madison. April.
2016 - “Dum Spiro Spero (While I Breath I Hope).” The School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University. Miami, Florida, USA. April.
2015 - “Dispelling Narratives” Emanu-El Exhibit. Miami Beach, Florida. USA. February.
2015 - “Identity Narrative: Displacement, Memory, and Legacy.” Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies. Miami, Florida, USA. June
2015 - “The Journey.” The Anti-Defamation League. Boynton Beach, Florida, USA. October.
2011 – “The Lost Sephardim and Their Return.” Olin Sang Rui Institute. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, USA. June.

CONFERENCES
Panels Organized
2018 - “Inside Out.” United Nations Headquarters. New York City, New York, USA. April.
2016 - “Why the Rapid Increase of Interest on the Sephardim?” JMOF at Florida International University. Miami Beach, Florida, USA. April.
2012 - “Enrique's Journey (book by Sonia Nasario).” University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
2007 - "My Return.” Conference at Shaarei Shalom. Boynton Beach, Florida, USA.
2004 - “Black and Brown College Bound.” Broward College. Tampa Convention Center. Tampa, Florida, USA.

GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS
2012 – 2013 – Jonathan Symon Fellowship, Florida International University                       
2009 - 2010 – Honor Society Phi Theta Kappa, Broward Community College

AWARDS
2022 - Medal of Corresponding Academic, The Academy of Letters & the Arts of Guiné-Bissau
2022 - Medal of Meritorious Counselor (as Herald), Associação Portuguesa dos Autarcas Monárquicos
2022 - Medal of Honor of Royal Merit (as Herald), Royal Club of Regatas Vasco da Gama
2022 - Medal of Royal Merit (as Herald), The Real Sociedade Club Gymnastico Portuguez
2015 – Artist of the Year, Anti-Defamation League                         
 
GUEST LECTURER
2022 – Art Talk. Miami Lit Podcast. Miami, Florida, USA. December.
2022 – Understanding the Visual Language of Conversos. Jada Miami Art Fair, Miami, Florida, USA, December.
2020 - “Critiques” Master of Fine Arts Department. Claremont Graduate University. Claremont, California, USA. February
2020 - "In Thy Tent I Dwell” Chicano Latino Student Affairs. Claremont College.  Claremont, California, USA. February
2018 - “A Paradigm Shift Through Art” at the Visual Arts Press Awards. Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. June.
2018 - “Stream of Consciousness Action Drawing.” Kspace. Aventura, Florida, USA. May
2018 - “A Hidden Heritage.” Rimon Art Salon. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. April
2018 - “The Metanarratives of Jonatas Chimen.” Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. April
2018 - “Talk on In Thy Tent I Dwell.” The Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center. Tucson, Arizona, USA. April.
2018 - “Returning Home.” Tess Hyams Museum. Roslyn Heights, New Jersey, USA. March
2018 - “The Travelling Paper.” Kulanu Artist-in-Residence. Newark, New York, USA. February.
2018 - “Art Talk.” The Art Museum of Temple Emeth. Teaneck, New Jersey, USA. June.
2018 - “The Innerverse Book Release Talk.” Emanu-El Exhibit. Staten Island, New York, USA. January.
2018 - “Lecture on the Paper Collection.” Harriet Bograd Residence. Manhattan, New York, USA. January.
2018 - “The Monotype Collage Collection.” Kulanu Artist Scholar-in-Residence. South Orange, New Jersey, USA. January.
2017 - “The Artistic Language of Crypto-Jews”. Conney Conference. University of Wisconsin-Madison. April.
2016 - “Dum Spiro Spero (While I Breath I Hope).” The School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University. Miami, Florida, USA. April.
2015 - “Dispelling Narratives” Emanu-El Exhibit. Miami Beach, Florida. USA. February.
2015 - “Identity Narrative: Displacement, Memory, and Legacy.” Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies. Miami, Florida, USA. June
2015 - “The Journey.” The Anti-Defamation League. Boynton Beach, Florida, USA. October.
2011 – “The Lost Sephardim and Their Return.” Olin Sang Rui Institute. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, USA. June.

CONFERENCES
Panels Organized
2018 - “Inside Out.” United Nations Headquarters. New York City, New York, USA. April.
2016 - “Why the Rapid Increase of Interest on the Sephardim?” JMOF at Florida International University. Miami Beach, Florida, USA. April.
2012 - “Enrique's Journey (book by Sonia Nasario).” University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
2007 - "The Return.” Conference at Shaarei Shalom. Boynton Beach, Florida, USA.
2004 - “Black and Brown College Bound.” Broward College. Tampa Convention Center. Tampa, Florida, USA.                                                                   

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS
2020, McAllister Center & LatinX Department. Claremont College, Claremont, California, USA
2019, JADA Art Program, Miami Beach, Florida, USA
2018, Rimon Art Salon, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
2018, The Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
2018, Tess Hyams Museum, Roslyn Heights, New Jersey, USA
2018, The Art Museum of Temple Emeth, Teaneck, New Jersey, USA
2018, Emanu-El, Staten Island, New York, USA
2018, Kulanu, South Orange, New Jersey, USA
2012, The Anthropocene, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
2011, Olin Sang Rui Institute, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, USA

PRESS APPEARANCES
2022 – HaLapid. Print.
2022 – Hyperallergic. Print. Digital.
2021 – The New York Times. Print.
2020 – Miami New Times. Print.
2018 - Yahoo Finance. Digital.
2018 - Arizona Jewish Post. Print.
2018 - The American Jewish World. Digital.
2018 - St. Thomas University Press. Print.
2018 - University of Wisconsin-Madison LACIS Blog. Digital.
2018 - Boston Business Journal. Digital.
2018 - L.A. Biz. Digital.
2018 - Sun Sentinel. Print.
2016 – Acontece Magazine Art Basel Edition. Print.
2016 – Banzai. Print.
2016 – Inspicio. Print.
2016 – Shalom Israel. Radio.
2015 – NNPTV. Television.
2015 – NPR. Radio.
2015 – WLRN – Radio
2015 – Boca Magazine. Print.
2014 – Venue Magazine. Print.
2013 – NBC6 South Florida - 6 in the Mix. Television.
2012 – NBC6 South Florida - 6 in the Mix. Television.
2012 – Wisconsin State Journal. Print.
2012 – Bloomberg Business Week. Online.
2012 – The Wall Street Journal (Market Watch). Online.
2012 – South Florida Opulence Magazine. Print.
2011 – The Voice Magazine. Print.
2011 – Tapestry Newsletter. Print.
2009 – Parklander Magazine. Print.
2009 – The Boca Raton Observer Magazine. Print.
2008 – Brazilian People Magazine. Print.
2007 – Linha Aberta Magazine. Print.
2007 – Boca Raton Magazine. Print.
2006 – Linha Aberta Magazine. Print.
2006 – Gazeta Brazil Newspaper. Print.
2006 – Boca Raton News Newspaper. Print.
2006 – Leila Cordeiro – Direto da Redacao. Television.
2006 – Cafe da Manha with Leila Cordeiro – TVBrasil. Television.
2006 – Vinheta Art & Gourmet with Chef Henrique – RIT TV USA . Television.

FUNDRAISERS
Federacion Sefardita de Latino America
The Anti-Defamation League of Florida
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital
Rotary Club
MECE - Early Childhood Education
The Boca Raton Museum of Art
The Children's Home Society
The American Cancer Society
  • Home
  • About
  • In Thy Tent I Dwell
  • Made of Blood & Gold
  • Film
  • Published Books
  • Innerverse
  • Diaspora Creature
  • FedExile
  • 5 Madonnas in Exile
  • Metanarratives
  • A Stranger in a Strange Land
  • Exile Archetypes
  • The Crushed Series
  • The Illuminatur Project
  • Contact
  • Étreinte Océan