What does it mean to create something that didn't exist before—and to do so with a sense of possibility, even in the face of constraint? In this episode, artist Mario Moore joins Dr. Heidi Brooks to reflect on art as agency, the power of process, and the untold stories behind his Yale-commissioned painting Black Governors. Together, they explore the tension between presence and invisibility, and what it means to embed stories within stories—without always offering a central gaze or a single interpretation.

This is a conversation about creativity as resistance, about learning through making, and about honoring what came before—while imagining what's still possible. Whether you're an artist, educator, student, or leader, Mario Moore's perspective offers a powerful lens on agency in the face of constraint—and how storytelling, through image or action, can challenge assumptions, spark dialogue, and expand what feels possible. If you've ever wondered how art intersects with justice or how process itself can be a form of wisdom, this episode is for you.

"Paintings tend to grow—and you need to follow along and let it do its thing." — Mario Moore

Learning Through Experience is produced through the Yale School of Management. What resonates with you about this conversation? We'd love to hear from you—reach out to LTEpodcast@yale.edu. And subscribe to the monthly LinkedIn newsletter for additional insights and reflections about episode topics and questions to ponder.

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Show Notes & Key Moments

03:00 – Art, Activism and Early ImmersionHis mom was an artist; his grandmother, an activist. That legacy shaped Mario's worldview—and his work. "We'd go from studios to marches. I didn't separate creativity from protest."

06:30 – Detroit, Imagination and Possibility in the Face of ScarcityThe collapse of the city where he was born and raised helped Mario Moore ask what might be rebuilt. "If everything's been taken away—why not imagine something new?"

11:30 – From Hollywood Backdrops to His Own VisionAfter working as a set sculptor on major films, Mario Moore realized he needed to reclaim time and space for his own creative voice. "I was building other people's stories. But I had something to say."

20:50 – The Process: Sketches, Research and Listening to the WorkMario doesn't just paint—he excavates. Through sketches, archival research and revision, he lets each piece grow into what it needs to be. "I never want to force a painting into a plan. I follow where it leads."

24:30 – Finding the Black Governors: History Hidden in Plain SightThe title "Black Governors" is significant to Connecticut, referencing the way enslaved and free African Americans would elect leaders to mediate the community's needs to power structure. "This history wasn't in textbooks. But it shaped everything."

26:00 – The Layers of Black GovernorsMario Moore walks us through the visual and historical components of the painting. "Every corner of this painting has a story—and most have been forgotten."

35:20 – Why the Top Hat MattersA nod to period fashion? Sure. A playful defiance of expectations? Absolutely. "Fun is part of the work. That's how I keep creating."

37:10 – Composition, Centering and the Power of Visual FramingMario explains why placement matters—from the buttons on a coat to who gets to face the viewer. "This figure doesn't face you on purpose. It's not about one man—it's about many."

39:00 – Final Reflections: Legacy, Leadership, and What EnduresFor Mario Moore, art is both an offering and an invitation. For Heidi, the piece is now part of her everyday experience—and a prompt for future leaders. "This painting lives here now. And it's asking all of us to see differently."

Resources

Mario Moore's website: https://www.mariomoorestudio.com/