Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Caustic
Summary
Caustic, dated 2017 and released in this 2018 first edition, is a screen print with bleach, ink and acid on paper at 70 x 50 cm. Hand-finished, signed and numbered in an edition of 150 plus 10 artist's proofs, its title directly references the corrosive chemistry at the heart of Vhils' technique.
Why It Matters
Caustic names the process it embodies. The bleach and acid literally eat into the printed surface, reproducing the eroded, excavated quality of Vhils' wall portraits. As a self-referential title, it foregrounds the destructive-creative method that distinguishes his work from conventional screen printing.
Collector Perspective
At 150 plus 10 AP, Caustic is among Vhils' more limited paper editions, and the hand-finishing guarantees impression variation. Collectors should note the 2017 creation date against the edition release, and examine how the acid and bleach have resolved on their specific sheet.
Historical Context
Created in 2017 and issued as a first edition into 2018, Caustic sits within Vhils' established studio practice of chemically treated screen prints. The consistent use of bleach, ink and acid ties it to the wider body of work in which Alexandre Farto translates urban erosion onto paper.
FAQ
Why is Caustic dated both 2017 and 2018?
The work was created in 2017 and issued in this first edition released in 2018.
What is the edition size?
150 impressions plus 10 artist's proofs, hand-finished, signed and numbered.
What does the title refer to?
It references the caustic bleach and acid used to corrode the printed surface, central to Vhils' method.
About the Artist
Vhils is the working name of Alexandre Farto, a Portuguese visual artist born in 1987 near Lisbon. He is internationally recognized for a pioneering "carving" technique in which he excavates portraits from layered walls, billboards, and surfaces using chisels, drills, and controlled explosives, effectively creating images by removing material rather than adding it. His large-scale murals appear in cities across the globe, and his studio editions translate this bas-relief, destructive-creation aesthetic into prints, laser-cut works, and mixed-media pieces. Vhils has exhibited widely and collaborated on major public and institutional projects.
Collecting Vhils at Gauntlet Gallery
What Vhils works can I collect?
Beyond his walls, Vhils produces signed, numbered studio editions including screenprints, hand-carved paper, laser-cut metal, and mixed-media relief works. Editions that preserve his signature carving texture are especially sought after. Gauntlet Gallery favors pieces in excellent condition with intact surfaces and complete documentation.
How is a Vhils piece authenticated?
We sell Vhils works with documented studio provenance, supported by the edition's signature and numbering. Each piece is photographed exactly as it will ship, including signature, edition number, and any embossing or studio marks, so details are verifiable up front.
What drives value?
Medium and technique (unique carved and relief works over flat prints), edition size, scale, condition, and documented provenance all shape price. Hand-worked, textural, and one-of-a-kind pieces carry the highest premiums.