Central themes in Shimoyama’s practice stem from his personal perspective on and experience with the Black queer male body. By asserting vibrant queer bodies in his works, he acknowledges the political aspects of being queer in this society. In some works, including his Barbershop series, he goes further to address the position of being queer within Black culture as well. Shimoyama’s canvases are brightly colored assemblages of paint, cut-out magazine images, costume jewelry, artificial flowers, textiles, and other materials. Although lavishly adorned, many of the figures’ eyes are actually rhinestones, which suggest tears and inner struggles navigating queer identity. In his sculptural practice, he creates large-scale hoodies, swing sets, and utility poles all covered in materials referencing the spontaneous memorial. These works have spawned from the Black Lives Matter movement and pay homage to lives lost due to police brutality, but also to the erasure of Black neighborhoods and communities because of gentrification.

Philadelphia-born Devan Shimoyama graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a BFA in 2011 and Yale University School of Art with an MFA in 2014. While at Yale, Shimoyama was awarded the Al Held Fellowship in 2013. He followed that up with a Fire Island Artist Residency in 2015. His work has appeared in exhibitions at the Andy Warhol Museum, Kunstpalais Erlangen, CAC Malaga, the California African American Museum, the Museum of Art and Design, and other venues. He was an Associate Professor of Art at Carnegie Mellon School of Art in Pittsburgh from 2014-2023.

An endowment established in 1983 through the generosity of Nancy and Robin Hanes supports the Art Department’s Visiting Artist Series. This important program brings both established and emerging artists to campus to discuss their work in public lectures and to offer individual critiques to our M.F.A. students. The Hanes Visiting Artist series greatly enriches both our academic programs and our outreach to the wider community. All lectures are free and open to the public.

A weeknight or daytime permit is now required after 5:00 pm on weekdays. There is no permit required from 5:00 pm Friday through 7:30 am Monday. A $1.00 one-night pass is available in selected lots. More information can be found on the UNC website at Weeknight Parking.