Devan Shimoyama self-portraits
Artist Devan Shimoyama will present new work in his regional debut, SHIFT at Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum. This solo exhibition runs January 26 to March 21.
Devan Shimoyama is a visual artist who works primarily in painting and self-portraiture, with works inspired as much by classical mythology as by the culture of his youth. Through his depictions of the queer Black male form, Shimoyama investigates the politics of queer culture while navigating his own personal narratives. Referencing the dramatic sensibilities of painters such as Caravaggio and Goya, he layers his surfaces with jewels, black glitter, rhinestones, and sequins to evoke both the beauty and alienation of the Black queer body.
Shimoyama received his MFA from Yale University School of Art in Painting/Printmaking in 2014. His work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States. He lives and works in Pittsburgh.
Rowan’s Art Gallery & Museum in Glassboro, New Jersey, just outside Philadelphia, mounts new contemporary art exhibitions by professional artists every two to three months. With a reputation for attracting respected international talent, it’s a cornerstone of South Jersey’s vibrant arts scene. All exhibitions and special events are open to the public with free admission.
New Work
SHIFT will feature the debut of Shimoyama’s most recent body of work, which is inspired by the Major Arcana of the Tarot deck. He stages scenes of transformation alluding to the dialogue between genuine and superficial change. The series reflects on our desire to present contained and perfect versions of ourselves, while suggesting how forms of mysticism, such as tarot reading, can illuminate new pathways through turbulent times.
The show also includes four 18 x 22 swings, embellished with silk flowers, rhinestones, jewelry, canvas, and found objects that hang on chains from the ceiling. The swings have only been shown twice previously.
Student Involvement
Shimoyama met with Rowan’s painting class to guide them in creating their own paintings based on his work. Their work will be exhibited in the gallery’s “Extension of the Classroom” hallway. He’ll meet with the class again when he is on campus in February.
Artist Statement
“My work seeks to examine and uplift the indomitable spirit of the queer Black male in today’s social climate. A certain reticence about gay male sexuality comes into question, followed by an exploration of locating the queer Black male body’s role in society and even within the microcosm of gay male politics. Divination, fairy tale, folklore, and mythology greatly influence the narrative element within my paintings as I build my own creation myth of the queer Black male. I use the language of classical mythology and contemporary stereotype to illuminate a small fraction of that identity.
In SHIFT, the works feature a range of ways in which I think of transformation and shapeshifting, particularly in its relation to one’s understanding of self. In the paintings, I reimagine various Major Arcana tarot card compositions, allowing my own impulses and symbols to intermingle with the preexisting canon of artists’, illustrators’, and practitioners’ imagery. Self-portraits donning the hairstyles of music icons reference both drag performers as well as my own lighthearted attempts during childhood to embrace my own queerness and femininity.
Large-scale portraits of iconic cinematic Black female vampiresses playfully celebrate the power and sensuality of transformation. I use fantasy and fiction to imagine ways to solve real problems and to discover new things about how we navigate the world.”
Devan Shimoyama is represented by De Buck Gallery, New York.
How to Visit
Located at 301 High Street West, Glassboro, NJ 08028, Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum is open to the public with free admission Monday to Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.
An Opening Reception on Wednesday, February 4, 5 to 7 p.m. features a discussion with the artist.
About Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum
Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum offers contemporary art exhibitions featuring celebrated, high-caliber visual artists from the global and local communities. Open to the public with free admission, it serves as a vibrant cultural destination for South Jersey, the Rowan community, and surrounding region. The Art Gallery presents diverse forms of contemporary art by professional artists with content that is thought provoking, relevant, and timely.
Visit: rowan.edu/artgallery
