artist Devan Shimoyama wearing a denim jacket over a white tank while he sits on the floor in front of flowers

Devan Shimoyama

1 collaboration

artist Devan Shimoyama holding his hand up to work on a painting in his studio
artist Devan Shimoyama wearing a denim jacket over a white tank while he sits on the floor in front of flowers

Devan Shimoyama

In shining memory

How do we remember those we have lost? This question is at the centre of Devan Shimoyama’s exploration of Blackness, queerness and mythology. He says, “instead of depicting a black body in pain or torment, I’d much rather celebrate those individuals as something more positive and whole”. He commemorates Black celebrities through his self-portrait paintings in drag, like Left Eye and Aaliyah (2022). His series of hoodies and swings adorned with flowers immortalise Trayvon Martin and Tamir Rice, Black children lost to police brutality.

Shimoyama’s image-making presents memory as a patchwork of la...

Bio

Devan Shimoyama (he/him) was born in Philadelphia, USA in 1989. He lives and works in Pittsburgh.

Studio

As well as neo-soul music, Shimoyama likes to play audiobooks while working – “I listen to a lot of sci-fi or epic fantasy novels.”

Process

Shimoyama deals with heavy themes in his work, like death and racism. So when he isn’t working Shimoyama likes to tune out by watching reality TV or playing video games – “I need mindless activity.”


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