Devan Shimoyama
Devan Shimoyama is a visual artist working primarily in self-portraiture and narratives inspired from classical mythology and allegory. Shimoyama seeks to depict the black queer male body as something that is both desirable and desirous. He explores the mystery and magic in the process of understanding his origins and also investigates the politics of queer culture.
The work of Devan Shimoyama showcases the relationship between celebration and silence in queer culture and sexuality. Shimoyama’s composition is inspired from the canons of the masters Caravaggio and Goya, though adding a more contemporary expression and sensuality. With the usage of various materials: splattered paint, stencils, black glitter, rhinestones, and sequins, Shimoyama creates pieces that capture the magical spirit of human beings. Shimoyama is currently based in Pittsburgh, PA.
Shimoyama was born in 1989 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State University in 2011 with a BFA in Drawing/Painting before obtaining his MFA at Yale University School of Art in 2014.
Devan Shimoyama was awarded the Al Held Fellowship at the Yale School of Art in 2013 and has had a residency at the 2015 Fire Island Artist Residency. Shimoyama’s work has been exhibited throughout America on numerous occasions. His exhibition Cry, Baby was on view at the Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh from October 13, 2018 – March 17, 2019. Shimoyama’s new and existing work was paired with a rotation of Warhol’s Ladies and Gentlemen paintings from 1974, revealing new perspectives on Warhol’s practice, embracing contemporary debates about identity politics, gender and sexuality in addition to issues of racial violence and tension in the United States.
CV | Current Exhibition | Past Exhibition | Press | #devanshimoyama
Selected Works
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Devan Shimoyama
Crowned, 2017
Devan Shimoyama
Crowned, 2017
Details
Medium
Painting
Materials used
Oil, glitter, flashe, color pencil, jewelry, collage, sequins and fabric on canvas on panel
Dimensions (in)
48 x 36
Dimensions (cm)
122 x 91
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Devan Shimoyama
Evening Reader, 2019
Devan Shimoyama
Evening Reader, 2019
Details
Materials used
Oil, color pencil, jewelry, flashe, glitter, collage, clothing and sequins on canvas
Dimensions (in)
84 x 72
Dimensions (cm)
213 x 183
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Devan Shimoyama
Hot Legs (Leap), 2017
Devan Shimoyama
Hot Legs (Leap), 2017
Details
Medium
Painting
Materials used
Oil, sequins, color pencil, collage, jewelry and flashe on canvas
Dimensions (in)
72 x 70
Dimensions (cm)
183 x 178
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Devan Shimoyama
Long on the top, short on the sides, 2017
Devan Shimoyama
Long on the top, short on the sides, 2017
Details
Medium
Painting
Materials used
Oil, color pencil, acrylic, fabric, jewelry, collage, and sequins on canvas stretched over panel
Dimensions (in)
48 x 36
Dimensions (cm)
122 x 91
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Devan Shimoyama
Sensitive, 2018
Devan Shimoyama
Sensitive, 2018
Details
Materials used
Oil, color pencil, jewelry, Flashe, collage and glitter on canvas stretched over panel
Dimensions (in)
48 x 36
Dimensions (cm)
122 x 91
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Devan Shimoyama
Shroud I, 2017
Devan Shimoyama
Shroud I, 2017
Details
Materials used
Sequins with silk charmeuse lining, velvet and armature
Dimensions (in)
64 x 56
Dimensions (cm)
163 x 142
Explore
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Devan Shimoyama
Tasha, 2018
Devan Shimoyama
Tasha, 2018
Details
Materials used
mixed media on canvas stretched over panel
Dimensions (in)
48 x 36
Dimensions (cm)
122 x 91
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Devan Shimoyama
Toto Getting Ready, 2018
Devan Shimoyama
Toto Getting Ready, 2018
Details
Materials used
Oil, color pencil, collage, glitter, acrylic, sequins, jewelry on canvas stretched over panel
Dimensions (in)
48 x 36
Dimensions (cm)
122 x 91