Figurative artist who did a foundation course at London College of Printing, 1987–8, gaining an honours degree in fine art, painting, at Manchester Polytechnic, 1988–91. Was granted The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Award for painting, 1994. Shoa won first prize, Manchester City Art Gallery Under 30s show, 1989; was highly commended, Holden Gallery, Manchester, Group Show, 1991; won first prize, RP, 1992; and first prize, NatWest Young Artists of the 90s, 1995. Other mixed exhibitions included Lord Leighton Prize, Leighton House, from 1991; RA Summer Exhibition and BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, both from 1992; and The Sacred Body, James Colman Fine Art, 1996. In 1999 Shoa shared an exhibition put on by Colman at Montpelier Sandelson.