Devan Shimoyama

Primarily using self-portraiture and narratives reminiscent of classical mythology and allegory, Devan Shimoyama proposes a new, queer, black, male creation myth. Shimoyama seeks to re-imagine this male body as something both desirous and desirable. His paintings explore the relationship between celebration and silence in queer culture and sexuality, and set the stage for an ethereal exploration to unfold.

Possessing an otherworldly yet familiar quality, Shimoyama’s poses and imagery have a reminiscence of the canons of old masters such as Caravaggio and Goya, though they are undeniably present, with a 21st century sensibility and expression. Using the tactility of thickly poured and splattered paint, luminous sprayed stencils, effervescent black glitter, rhinestones, and sequins, Shimoyama creates silhouettes of figures that exist as wholly magical, yet universally human.

Shimoyama has exhibited throughout the United States, including at the Northern Illinois University Art Museum, in Dekalb, IL, Samuel Freeman Gallery in Los Angeles, Alter Space, San Francisco, Emmanuel Gallery, Denver, The Active Space, Brooklyn, NY, and internationally in Realities in Contemporary Video Art at the Fondation des Etats Unis, in Paris, France. Shimoyama is currently a full time faculty member at the Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.

Courtesy of Lesley Heller