This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with artist Suzanne Jackson, who discusses her multidisciplinary practice spanning drawing, painting, poetry, dance, and theatre. Jackson, born in 1944 and raised in San Francisco and Fairbanks, Alaska, explores spiritual connections between people and nature, drawing on Native American and African American traditions. She recounts formative encounters with artists Barbara Chase Riboud, Elizabeth Catlett, and Torkwase Dyson, and shares her passion for jazz and classic cartoons. The episode also highlights her current survey exhibition "What is Love," which travels to SFMOMA, the Walker Art Center, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston through 2027.
The interview matters because it offers rare insight into the life and thinking of an artist whose career spans decades yet has only recently gained broader institutional recognition. Jackson's work directly addresses urgent themes like the climate catastrophe and community unity, while her role as a former gallery owner and public art administrator underscores the social impact of art. The podcast, sponsored by Bloomberg Connects, also promotes accessibility to cultural institutions, linking listeners to museum guides that feature Jackson's survey show and other collections.