January 22nd, 2025 — Devan Shimoyama (CRF 2024) will present new work in his regional debut, SHIFT at Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum in Glassboro, New Jersey next week. The solo exhibition runs January 26th to March 21st.
Devan’s visual art often 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 what he sees as both the beauty and alienation of the black queer body. 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 people’s desire to present contained and perfect versions of themselves, 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.
“My work seeks to examine and uplift the indomitable spirit of the queer black male in today’s social climate,” he said. “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 met with painting students at Rowan to facilitate the creation of their own paintings based on his work. Their work will also be exhibited in the gallery’s “Extension of the Classroom” hallway. An opening reception will take place on Wednesday, February 4th from 5 to 7 PM and features a discussion with the artist.
Photos via Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum and De Buck Gallery.