Godlingston Hill, the highest point in the Purbeck Hills is well known to Joyce, who was born in Poole and studied at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design. His fascination with Purbeck began in early childhood with school trips and guided walks. Since then, he has explored the area on foot (and climbed up the limestone cliffs); snorkelled around the coast and flown over the area in a hired Cessna aircraft.

These varied experiences and the in-depth knowledge gained from studying the geology and history of Purbeck inform Joyce's work. His recent painting Godlingston Hill with its subtle textures, tones and markings like contours has a topographical feel. It is a powerful evocation of place. After twenty years of keeping a studio in La Vendée, a remote part of the marshlands in France he has returned home to work part-time in Purbeck from his base in Swanage.