Philadelphia-born artist Devan Shimoyama makes his regional solo debut with the exhibition “SHIFT” at Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum, on view through March 21. The show reimagines the Major Arcana of the Tarot deck through mixed-media paintings incorporating oil, colored pencil, glitter, collage, Swarovski crystals, and other materials, exploring themes of identity, transformation, and Black queerness. Shimoyama, who earned a BFA from Penn State and an MFA from Yale School of Art, previously exhibited at the Andy Warhol Museum and taught at Carnegie Mellon University.
This exhibition matters because it brings a nationally recognized Black queer artist back to his hometown region, offering audiences a fresh perspective on tarot symbolism and self-perfection. Shimoyama’s work challenges conventional narratives around identity and representation, and his career trajectory—from pre-med to professional artist—underscores the importance of mentorship and institutional support for emerging artists of color. The show also highlights Rowan University’s role in presenting contemporary art that engages with social and cultural issues.