Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Mark Dion studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York and the University of Hartford. He gained prominence in the 1990s for his practice of adopting the role of the scientist, archaeologist, or explorer to investigate the intersection of environmental politics and public knowledge.

His work frequently utilizes the aesthetic of the cabinet of curiosities, incorporating found objects, taxidermy, and archival materials to challenge the perceived objectivity of scientific institutions. By recontextualizing these items, Dion exposes the ideological frameworks that underpin historical and environmental narratives.

Dion continues to be a significant figure in contemporary conceptual art, known for both his permanent public installations and his pedagogical contributions to the field. His practice remains focused on the critical examination of how society constructs its relationship with nature and history.