Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Contingency
Summary
Contingency (2015) is a seven-colour lithograph with Quink ink and acid, printed on a Marinoni press in an edition of 120 plus 20 APs at 85 × 60 cm. On hand-cut BFK Rives 270gsm paper, each sheet is signed, numbered, and hand-finished by the artist.
Why It Matters
Contingency unites two sides of Vhils' printmaking: the seven-colour lithographic sophistication of his Idem-style work and the corrosive Quink-and-acid finishing of his wall practice. The combination makes it one of his more complex 2015 editions, and each acid intervention keeps every impression unique.
Collector Perspective
The hybrid technique — fine lithography plus hand-applied acid — gives collectors both printmaking depth and genuine variation across the edition of 120. The generous 85 × 60 cm format on hand-cut BFK Rives makes it a substantial wall piece and a strong representative of his mid-2010s output.
Historical Context
Bridging his pure lithographs like Glimpse and his acid-finished screen prints, Contingency (2015) shows Vhils merging techniques on a single Marinoni-pressed sheet. It anticipates the four-colour, acid-finished lithographs such as Changes that followed in 2016.
FAQ
What makes Contingency technically notable?
It combines a seven-colour lithograph with hand-applied Quink ink and acid, merging two of Vhils' printmaking approaches.
How large is the edition?
120 impressions plus 20 artist's proofs.
Are all impressions the same?
No, the acid finishing makes each sheet unique.
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.