Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Contrive Series #03
Summary
Contrive Series #03 (2019) is a hand-finished lithograph in an edition of 30, made with Quink ink and acid at 95 by 70 cm. The third image in the Contrive Series, it combines lithographic printing with Vhils's corrosive hand-finishing, and its limited run gives each impression scarcity and unique surface character.
Why It Matters
Contrive #03 sits at the centre of the five-part series, maintaining Vhils's hybrid method of applying acid-and-Quink erosion to lithographs. This technical fusion links traditional printmaking with the subtractive carving that defines his work. At just 30 examples, it offers collectors a rare, large-format, hand-worked expression of his practice.
Collector Perspective
With 30 impressions, Contrive #03 is scarce, and the hand-applied acid guarantees per-sheet variation. Its 95 by 70 cm format gives strong wall presence. Collectors pursuing the complete series will value #03 as the midpoint; the signature and number authenticate it, and the acid-worked surface is part of the intended aesthetic.
Historical Context
Drawn from the 2019 Contrive Series, #03 evidences Vhils applying his erosion technique across print media. The series emerges from more than a decade of carving portraits into urban surfaces, here condensed into a small, hybrid lithographic edition of 30.
FAQ
Where does #03 sit in the series?
It is the middle image of the five-part Contrive Series, all editioned at 30.
What technique is used?
Lithography hand-finished with Quink ink and acid for unique surface effects.
How scarce is it?
With only 30 impressions, it is among Vhils's more limited editions.
What is the size?
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.