Sudden Darkness, Sudden Flight (Paradise Watcher) is from the celebrated In the Moonlight series and depicts a scene of a nude figure peeking out from behind palm fronds in a dimly lit forest. In this self-portrait, Shimoyama has replaced his eyes with vintage jewelry, giving him a sorrowful and mysterious expression that hints at inner turmoil or wariness. Pink and blue raindrops or tears are visible in the dark scene, serving as a reminder of the racial injustices still present in modern society. In Sudden Darkness, Sudden Flight (Paradise Watcher), Shimoyama has created a mythical tableau, providing a fresh perspective and a new origin story for the queer Black body. 

Shimoyama has been showcased in both solo and group exhibitions across the United States. Sudden Darkness, Sudden Flight (Paradise Watcher) was featured in his first solo exhibition at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh from October 13, 2018 to March 17, 2019. The exhibition, titled "Cry, Baby," displayed a combination of Shimoyama's new and existing works, alongside a rotating selection of Warhol's Ladies and Gentlemen paintings from the 1970s. This unique display allowed for an exploration of the relationship between the two artists' works, as well as an examination of the ways in which gender, sexuality, race, and violence are portrayed in contemporary art across generations.