ARTIST STATEMENT

Joyce’s work is an examination of self—often the contradictions of self—through the environment. A central motif in this examination is the question of duality: conflict and coexistence, belonging and non-belonging, intersection and parallel, content and form. The clean geometry of the urban landscape depicted through the gritty reality of documentary-style photography. Likewise, solid historical structures often share or compete for space with billowing clouds. Elsewhere, shiny new asphalt reflects the sagging brick of aging buildings. A sense of nostalgia pervades the images as Joyce’s camera both captures and obscures a material reality, a past, and a self finding its time and place. Joyce proficiently controls all steps of her process; using a combination of digital and analog media in both 35mm and medium formats.



BIOGRAPHY

Rebecca Joyce (British-Salvadoran, b. 1980) is a fine art photographer focusing primarily on the urban landscape. Rebecca grew up both in working class Northern England and El Salvador during its Civil War, which presented vastly different and difficult experiences. Arriving in Los Angeles, CA at the age of 14, Rebecca then grappled with culture shock and trauma, and the complex reality of living undocumented in the United States—resulting in a conflicted relationship with the city and inspiring her photographic studies of the urban environment.

While in university, Joyce began working in a photo lab where she learned the technical side of photography and printing. This job would become an unexpected career in the photographic industry. Joyce holds degrees in Psychology and Sociology—specializing in theory, research, and statistics—and is a self-taught photographer. She works primarily in black and white and her work explores the concepts of conflict, nostalgia, and duality.

Rebecca Joyce lives and works in Los Angeles.

EXHIBITS AND AWARDS

2017 A Room of One’s Own, group show. The Perfect Exposure Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2017 To Know The Dark, group show. The Perfect Exposure Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2017 Present But Not Involved, group show. Fathom Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2015 Instagramland, group show. The Perfect Exposure Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2015 30 Days and 30 Nights of Photography, group show. Fathom Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2015 Honorable Mention (two images selected), International Photo Awards

2013 Fotoflo, juried competition and group show. DRKRM Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2013 Juror’s Choice, Women In Photography International’s Annual Juried Competition

2012 Honorable Mention (two images selected), International Photo Awards

EDUCATION

California State University, Northridge- B.A. in Psychology & Sociology

Graduated June 2003 

  • President of Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology

  • Wrote Psi Chi chapter newsletter

  • Presented two research projects at Western Psychological Association conferences

  • Volunteered as part of Associated Students and CSUN LGBTA