Dr. Jill Thayer interviews Lucienne Allen, granddaughter of Lucienne Bloch on art, advocacy, Frida, and Diego during The Art of Life podcast on Voice of Paso Internet Radio. The program aligns with the exhibition at Ann Foxworthy Gallery at Allan Hancock College.

A Conversation with Lucienne Allen on Lucienne Bloch: Art, Advocacy, Frida Kahlo, and Diego Rivera

The interview, conducted by Dr. Jill Thayer with Lucienne Allen, granddaughter of Lucienne Bloch on September 23, 2021 for Voice of Paso Internet radio, commemorates the “Lucienne Block: Art, Archives, Frida, and Diego” exhibition at Ann Foxworthy Gallery, Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, CA, October 12 – November 24, 2021. Co-curated by Gallery Director Laura-Susan Thomas and Jill Thayer, Ph.D. 

Podcast

Lucienne Bloch was a muralist, sculptor, glass designer, photographer, advocate, political activist, educator, and illustrator. Her contributions span over the last century as her multimedia talent crossed cultural boundaries. Lucienne was an accomplished artist, and happened to be a peer and close friend of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

In the 1930s, her photographs of their working relationship and personal rapport captured poignant and intimate moments that aligned with many art historical and socio-political contexts of the 20th Century. The photographic series is highly regarded in the art world and beyond. Lucienne’s father was the renowned Swiss composer, Ernest Bloch, whose music reflects Jewish cultural and liturgical themes, post-romantic influences and neoclassical trends.

The exhibition, “Lucienne Bloch: Art, Advocacy, Frida, and Diego” presents a historical trajectory of the artist’s life and work from her personal archives, many images have never been seen in public. Special thanks to Lucienne Allen, steward of her grandmother’s exceptional legacy.

For more information on Lucienne Bloch, visit @luciennebloch on Instagram.