Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage: Kunstpalais | Erlangen, Germany
Luminous color, bright outlines, sequins, rhinestones, fabric, feathers—and time and time again the artist himself, in mythological, fantastic, or historical roles: The material collages by the American painter Devan Shimoyama (1989 in Philadelphia, USA) are midsummer night’s dreams of alternative masculinity. In his works, Shimoyama dissects masculine stereotypes and reassembles them as brilliantly as haute couture to counter-narratives of vulnerability and resistance. As Shimoyama says, he uses materials that a drag queen would use to create her glamorous outfits and fantasy characters.
As a homosexual Afro-American, Shimoyama has an intense relationship with issues of the Black community, as well as the queer subculture in the United States. With his art, he contrasts the dark sides of the reality of this life, such as everyday racism and police violence, homophobia and misogyny, with powerful icons, which represent hope, strength and beauty. He himself often forms the center of his colorful settings. Kunstpalaisexhibits Shimoyama’s first solo show in Europe.
— Curatorial text courtesy Kunstpalais
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Devan ShimoyamaAkasha, 2021Oil, colored pencil, glitter, acrylic, costume jewelry, rhinestones, and collage on canvas stretched over panel72 x 72 x 1.3 in
182.9 x 182.9 x 3.2 cm -
Devan ShimoyamaVampira, 2021Oil, colored pencil, glitter, acrylic, rhinestones, and collage on canvas stretched over panel72 x 72 x 1 1/4 in
182.9 x 182.9 x 3.2 cm -
Devan ShimoyamaWaning Kiss, 2021Oil, colored pencil, glitter, acrylic, rhinestones, and collage on canvas stretched over panel48 x 36 x 1 1/4 in
121.9 x 91.4 x 3.2 cm -
Devan ShimoyamaThe Star, 2019Oil, color pencil, collage, glitter, jewelry and acrylic on canvas stretched over panel48 x 36 x 3 in
121.9 x 91.4 x 7.6 cm -
Devan ShimoyamaSpotlight, 2021Colored pencil, glitter, collage and rhinestones on paper in walnut frame with museum glass52 1/2 x 42 3/4 x 1 5/8 in
133.3 x 108.5 x 4 cm
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath
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Devan Shimoyama, All the Rage, Photographs by Ludger Paffrath