Mario Joyce is a self-taught African American artist based in New York City. His artistic process began early and was heavily influenced by prejudices experienced growing up Black and Queer in rural Ohio. He began using both genealogical research and paint to further explore and share the social history of discrimination. After a moving to New York City, he is furthering his studies in the African diaspora and how American History is steeped in selective storytelling that neglects to share the experiences of marginalized communities. His work is privately owned by many collectors throughout the United States and abroad.

Paralleling his experiences as a Queer, Black boy growing up in rural Ohio to those of his direct male ancestors is integral in his practice. He begins with genealogical research, collecting stories and supporting these narratives with primary records. He then sources vintage collage images from used books printed between 1965-1999, specifically nodding to his grandfathers’ generation and his earliest memories of them. These vintage images are of natural scenes and elements, space, stars and mysterious heavenly bodies. He compiles them within the Black male figure on canvas. These figures are avatars of him, meant to represent specific male ancestors. Then, using a thick impasto technique with oil paint, he recreates scenes from his childhood farm. In the surrounding fields and forests there was solace from constant racial and homophobic attacks. Connecting to his ancestors in these fields, they guided and strengthened him from a very early age.