BULLETSHRIMP! is a self-published, semi-autobiographical collection of short stories blending highly stylized typography & composite photography. It features gay/queer characters Kelly has created. The shorts are a blend of personal experiences mixed with elements of surrealism. The visuals draw connections between storyboarding, comic books, and traditional magazines.
Below are excerpts—spreads—from the most recent edition of his work Bulletshrimp! Red.
BULLETSHRIMP! RED (2023)
8.5 x 11 in Perfect Bound Book / 4 Short Stories / 108 PagesDIRECTOR, WRITER, PHOTOGRAPHER: VINCE KELLYCO-WRITER: JULIET WANG
BULLETSHRIMP! RED consists of 4 short stories. In this first edition, the four short stories are thematically linked through queer rage and the reclamation of power and autonomy.
2% - The story of a lesbian couple struggling with their own relationship who decide to go on a journey to confront those who have caused them great pain.
BUT IM A MARTIAN! - A surreal collection of memories highlighting the importance of autonomy and self-determination.
FLY ON THE WALL - A Story of a man who comes to terms with his identity and writes love letters to his pen pal.
BITE - A bitterly self-aware contemplation of the relationship one man shares with his inner demons and anger.
BULLETSHRIMP! aims to completely liberate all LGBTQ+ people through short stories that focus on “post coming out” narratives. The characters are all gay/queer and portrayed by gay/queer models. The project doesn’t shy away from serious topics that affect all gay/queer people such as internalized homophobia, widespread homophobia/transphobia, and the position of Christianity in perpetuating this intolerance of queer people. The project deals with radical love and radical hate and assesses them through a non-judgemental lens.
THREE CIGARETTE (2023)
THE STORY DISCUSSES THE NOTION OF MEMORY THROUGH THE MYTH OF THE “MARLBORO MAN.” THE WORK CONSIDERS MYSELF AS BOTH A CONTINUATION OF WHO I WAS AS A YOUNG CLOSETED BOY/MAN GROWING UP IN NORTH ARLINGTON, NJ, AND THE CONFIDENT MAN I BECAME IN LOS ANGELES IN AN ATTEMPT TO BRIDGE THAT GAP.
PROTOTYPE (2022)
THE BOOK DEPICTS VARIOUS QUEER PEOPLE IN OUTFITS CHOSEN BY THEMSELVES IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT POSES IN THE INFORMATICA HEAD. THE BOOK AIMS TO DEFINE THE SPECIFIC STYLE OF QUEER PEOPLE AS SOMETHING DIVERSE BUT INCREDIBLY UNIQUE TO EACH OF THE PEOPLE EXHIBITED IN THIS BOOK.
PROTOTYPE (2022)
