Ulrich Museum of Art
Green Family Art Foundation, Courtesy of Adam Green Art Advisory.
Temperance (2022) by Devan ShimoyamaUlrich Museum of Art
Tempérance is a dazzling reinterpretation of the Temperance card from the Waite-Smith Tarot deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. Shimoyama transforms this archetype into a radiant celebration of balance, healing, and personal transformation.
The virtue Temperance is usually depicted as a figure pouring water from one vessel to another, symbolizing restraint and moderation. In Shimoyama's version, excess water spills out from the cup, a sequined symbol of the canvas's ornate, textural, intemperate use of materials.
Temperance (2022) by Devan ShimoyamaUlrich Museum of Art
An ethereal being embodies both human and divine qualities. Adorned with gold jewels, their shimmering afro creates a celestial halo with golden rays radiating from their head. Inlaid with sparkling jewels, the figure's eyes reflect the divine and invite us to reflect inward.
The figure’s jeweled eyes shimmer and captivate viewers. These eyes suggest a heightened awareness, a divine ability to see beyond the physical realm into deeper truths. They are both hypnotic and revealing, emphasizing the spiritual wisdom that the Temperance archetype embodies.
Temperance (2022) by Devan ShimoyamaUlrich Museum of Art
The environment surrounding the divine figure is flooded with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and glittering textures. This abundance of life feels almost Edenic, a return to nature’s richness in contrast to the sterility of modernity.
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