By: Shane Bagot, Community Journalist
GLASSBORO — Open from January 26th to March 21st is Devan Shimoyama’s “Shift,” an exhibit showing the ways one goes through transformation and change. “Shift” opened at the Rowan University Museum of Contemporary Art with an artist talk and opening reception on Feb. 4.
Shimoyama is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The painter and mixed media artist had grown up with a natural inclination for art, taking art classes in high school, art-related clubs, and figure drawing classes all around the city. His parents pushed him to create art, but he always had an interest in it.
“Mostly when I was growing up, it was just kind of a thing I did on my own. I didn’t really have a big or great understanding of contemporary art when I was younger. That didn’t really come into play until I was much further along, like in college. It was more of a hobby that I took pretty seriously in terms of my own interest in it,” said Shimoyama.
He read a lot of fantasy, fiction, and art history books, which helped to fuel the fire for his imagination and was an inspiration for him and his creativity. The imagery in his head would then be translated into his drawings.
It would help to adopt his style. One Shimoyama says has been a long, growing process, shifting and changing. This would be thanks to his first advanced painting courses, which would allow him to experiment and push the boundaries. Using a lot of collage elements, craft-related materials, and costume jewelry. Allowing him to develop a visual language that speaks to him.
The same developing visual language that would allow him to produce “Shift.” The exhibition has spanned a number of years. Some of the works are from just eight months ago, then some are from years back, piecing together the exhibit from other exhibitions.
Drawing from divination, fairy tales, folklore, and mythology to build a creation of queer black male myth. His work seeks to look at queer black males in today’s social climate. The Arcana Tarot card compositions were used as a way to insert his own voice.
“It was an opportunity for me to kind of reflect on my own upbringing, but then also looking at these other types of practices that predate the event that are really intriguing. It’s a way for me to put my own spin on something that I feel like also would help me to do a deeper investigation into something that I’m truly fascinated by. Both the history of it, the actual elements of it as well,” said Shimoyama.
The term “shift” is one that Shimoyama has been interested in. Especially in how it relates to change. How change, transformation, and shape shifting are all kinds of exponential growth. This goes for not just the work, which is both personal and broader. Also, looking at the change in one’s body as they grow and age. Whether that be intentional or not.
The hardest thing that was also a blessing for him was the limitations of the works available for use. It allowed for a narrower scope of work to use. In addition to that, there was also the ability to make new works. Generally, allowing him to go back into the studio to make new work that he may not have otherwise made.
Shimoyama hopes that people come away from the exhibit reflecting on themselves.
“It would be a positive experience that people could kind of reflect on their own senses, of their own belief systems, and how they approach ideas about personal growth. That doesn’t have to be a reflection of what I’m showing there, but maybe it can be an opportunity for people to think about the histories of the things that they just sort of take for granted or accept to be true, but rather, maybe leads people down a more curious path to investigate things a little bit more deeply,” Shimoyama said.
According to Shimoyama, the opening and gallery talk went well. He was able to go through a walk-through with a full audience, discussing the themes and his thoughts on the work contextually.
“Shift” will be his last big exhibit for a little bit. As he is now trying to get back into the studio and going back to finish projects he started on, like the tarot card series. Specifically, having two more cards to make then creating them into an actual deck of cards for use. Then later in March, going off to London for PLOP residency, which is a community-driven project for artist residency that includes studio visits from industry professionals.
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