Philadelphia-born artist Devan Shimoyama returns to the region this winter with "SHIFT," a solo exhibition at Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum that examines identity, transformation and the politics of Black, queer visibility through richly layered paintings and pieces.
Running Jan. 26 through March 21, "SHIFT" marks Shimoyama's regional debut at Rowan and brings together large-scale paintings and sculptural installations. A Central High School alum who grew up in Northwest Philadelphia in the Germantown section, Shimoyama is now based in Pittsburgh, but his work remains deeply rooted in personal history and spiritual inquiry.
"I think of the show as exploring different ways the idea of 'shift' can function," Shimoyama said. "We contain all these different multitudes, and we're constantly navigating how we understand ourselves through belief systems, identity and transformation."
"Under the right lighting, something inexpensive can suddenly feel magical," Shimoyama said. "That's something I love about drag culture - the fantasy becomes real in that moment. I'm interested in materials that pretend to be something else, that shift depending on context."
"SHIFT" draws some inspiration from the Major Arcana of the tarot deck, a series of 22 cards that trace what is known as "The Fool's Journey." In Shimoyama's reimagining, the artist often inserts himself as the protagonist, using self-portraiture as a way to explore internal transformation. Other figures reference Egyptian mythology, folklore and cinematic archetypes, creating a visual language that blends ancient symbolism with contemporary life.
"My work uses collage as a really direct way of bringing in these contemporary references and interjecting them with a smash cut right onto something that feels historical or ancient," Shimoyama explained.
"When your identity doesn't neatly align with the values you're taught, you start looking elsewhere," he said. "When you study the history of religion and mythology, you realize how interconnected these belief systems really are."
Alongside nine paintings, the exhibition includes four suspended swings and a hoodie sculpture, embellished with silk flowers, rhinestones and other objects. While the work engages deeply with history and symbolism, Shimoyama emphasizes accessibility and joy. His figures are often depicted at a larger-than-life scale, dripped in vibrant color and presence.
"I want the work to be celebratory," he said. "These are strong, joyous images of Black queerness that resist being minimized."
Shimoyama hopes viewers come away with their own interpretations. Having exhibited internationally, he has seen how audiences from different cultures bring new meanings to his work.
"Sometimes people see something completely different than what I intended," he said. "That's exciting to me. It opens up conversations where we can learn from each other."
In addition to the exhibition, Shimoyama worked with Rowan University painting students, guiding them in creating works inspired by his practice. Their pieces will be displayed in the gallery's Extension of the Classroom hallway, reinforcing the museum's role as both a cultural and educational space.
For a Philadelphia artist whose work bridges the mythical and the personal, the old and the new, "SHIFT" offers a powerful reflection of becoming and transformation.
