Vhils
REDACT
2023
Screen print ink, varnish, Quink ink, bleach, and acid Hand-finished, signed and numbered by the artist
70 × 50 cm
Time-gated open edition + 20 AP & 10 RN
Location: LISBOA, Portugal
Documents
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Invoice or proof of purchase
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Certificate of authenticity
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Other documents
About the artwork
A portrait of a figure, rendered in a palette of browns and creams, dominates this composition. The face, depicted with visible eyes and mouth, emerges from a textured background that incorporates geometric patterns and fragmented text. The technique employed creates a distressed aesthetic, with areas of light and dark contrasting to define the facial features and surrounding abstract elements. The artwork utilizes screen print ink, varnish, Quink ink, bleach, and acid to achieve its visual effect. The application of Quink ink and bleach is known to produce a distinct chromatographic effect, contributing to the varied tonal qualities and textures observed. Elements of the background suggest fragmented typography, with discernible letters forming part of a word, possibly "AGING" or a similar term, integrated into the overall design. The interplay of these materials results in a surface that appears eroded or excavated, consistent with the artist's broader practice of revealing underlying layers.
Expert opinion
Vhils occupies a position within contemporary art that bridges street art and fine art, having evolved from a graffiti background to exhibiting in established galleries and institutions. His practice of "creative destruction" or "urban archaeology" contributes to a discourse on urban decay, memory, and the human presence within evolving cityscapes. The artist's work is collected internationally, with a market that includes both primary gallery sales and a secondary auction market. The use of industrial and corrosive materials in his printmaking, such as bleach and acid, aligns with his signature subtractive methodology seen in his large-scale public works. This consistency in artistic approach across different media enhances the coherence of his oeuvre and appeals to collectors interested in artists who push material boundaries. The time-gated open edition format, combined with artist proofs and unique remargined pieces, allows for broader accessibility while retaining a tier of scarcity, influencing market dynamics and value.
About the artist
Alexandre Farto, alias Vhils, Portuguese artist born in 1987. Lives and works in Lisbon (Portugal). He became active in Lisbon's graffiti scene in the early 2000s. In 2008, Banksy invited him to take part in London's Cans Festival, where his work was immediately recognized and celebrated as one of the most innovative on the urban scene in recent years. Today, he exhibits at major institutions around the world, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the CAFA Art Museum in Beijing, and the Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center, which is devoting its first monographic exhibition to him in the United States in 2020. Until September 2022, the MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) in Lisbon is dedicating a monumental, immersive exhibition to him, entirely focused on video. In it, the artist develops a new language, presenting an image of the city in slow motion.
Additional info
Signed
3x
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