His work is particularly renowned for showcasing the queer culture and community, depicting the relationship between celebration and silence. The artwork by Devan Shimoyama is distinctly contemporary and refreshing. Read on to learn more about Devan Shimoyama and his extraordinary contributions.

Early Life & Education  

Devan Shimoyama was born in 1989 in Philadelphia. His interest in arts developed early on, and to pursue it, he attended the Pennsylvania State University to receive his BFA degree in Drawing and Painting in 2011. Expanding his interests and exploring new mediums, he went on to receive his MFA from Yale University School in Printmaking and Painting in 2014.

With an undying desire to learn and propagate the knowledge, he currently works at the Carnegie Mellon University as an Assistant Professor of Arts in Pittsburgh, PA.  

Notable Work, Exhibits, & Achievements

As an artist living in the era of racial tension, identity politics, and cultural turmoil, Devan Shimoyama uses art to raise some important questions. His work predominately focuses on race and sexuality. His subjects range from friends and acquaintances to figures from his imagination. His self-portraits also make a significant part of his work.

His work often incorporates less conventional materials, particularly glitter, fur, feather, rhinestones, and sequins. The materials signify and points towards the drag culture, challenging the conventional notions of masculinity. For his unique and thought-provoking approach, Devan Shimoyama was awarded an AI Held Fellowship at Yale in 2013.

His work has been displayed across the US as part of solo and group exhibitions. Cry Baby, one of his most iconic exhibitions, was exhibited at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburg for around six months (October 2018 - March 2019). His work was paired with 1974 paintings, Ladies and Gentlemen by Warhol. Together, the pieces made for a powerful display.

Furthermore, Devan Shimoyama has a long list of exhibitions. In 2017, he had a solo presentation at De Buck Gallery in New York. Some other notable galleries and venues bestowed with Shimoyama’s intriguing works include Lesley Heller Workspace in NYC, Samuel Freeman Gallery, Studio Museum in Harlem, the Fed Galleries, Kravets Wehby Gallery, Emmanuel Gallery at Denver, Alter Space in San Francisco, Upfor Gallery in Portland, and many more.  

Over the years, Devan Shimoyama has created visionary art pieces and continues to do so. Currently, the art world awaits his upcoming exhibition at Kunstpalais Erlangen in Germany.