Illest

Vitus Shell is a mixed-media collage painter born in Monroe, LA, where he lives and works. He has exhibited numerous times including at The McKenna Museum of African American Art, Stephen F. Austin University, and Miami University in Oxford, OH. He has also painted murals for the National Civil Rights Museum’s NBA Pioneers exhibit, Indianola City Pool in Indianola, MS, and Union Parish Elementary School in Farmerville, LA.

Vitus’ new exhibition, Illest, is a series of portraits in his colorful and dynamic mixed-media style. Through this show, his goal is to give agency to the Black community, showing the true spirit of his subjects by painting them into collages.

Vitus says, “‘Illest’ is a hip hop term, meaning most impressive or highly skilled. In the truest form of Black vernacular, the word ‘illest’ defines the resilience of the community, and similar to collage painting, how layered histories shape a person.”