Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Contrive Series #02
Summary
Contrive Series #02 (2019) is a hand-finished lithograph in an edition of 30, worked with Quink ink and acid at 95 by 70 cm. The second image in the Contrive Series, it pairs lithographic printing with Vhils's corrosive finishing, and its small edition gives each impression scarcity and individual surface variation.
Why It Matters
As the second entry in the Contrive Series, #02 continues Vhils's hybrid approach of applying acid-and-Quink erosion to lithographs. The technique bridges fine art printmaking and his carving philosophy. With only 30 examples, it forms part of a tightly editioned sequence that rewards collectors seeking his large-format, hand-worked prints.
Collector Perspective
An edition of 30 makes Contrive #02 scarce, and the acid finishing renders each sheet unique. The large 95 by 70 cm scale suits prominent display. Collectors assembling the five-part series will weigh how #02 relates to its companions; verification rests on the signature and number, and surface variation should be read as intended.
Historical Context
Part of the 2019 Contrive Series, #02 reflects Vhils extending his erosion technique across print media. The series belongs to a career grounded in carving portraits into walls and billboards worldwide, here translated into a small, technically hybrid lithographic edition.
FAQ
How does #02 relate to #01?
Both are part of the same five-part Contrive Series, sharing the lithograph-plus-acid technique and edition of 30.
What is the edition size?
An edition of 30, signed and numbered.
What technique is used?
Lithography hand-finished with Quink ink and acid, giving each sheet unique effects.
What are the dimensions?
95 by 70 cm.
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.