Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Contrive Series #05
Summary
Contrive Series #05 (2019) is a hand-finished lithograph in an edition of 30, made with Quink ink and acid at 95 by 70 cm. The fifth and final image in the Contrive Series, it combines lithographic printing with Vhils's corrosive finishing, and its limited run gives each impression scarcity and unique surface character.
Why It Matters
As the closing image of the five-part series, Contrive #05 completes Vhils's hybrid exploration of acid-and-Quink erosion on lithographs. The technique marries traditional printmaking with his subtractive portraiture. At just 30 examples, it offers collectors the concluding chapter of a rare, large-format, hand-worked sequence.
Collector Perspective
With 30 impressions, Contrive #05 is scarce, and hand-applied acid ensures each sheet differs. Its 95 by 70 cm format commands wall presence, and as the final entry it holds particular appeal for collectors completing the full series. The signature and number authenticate it; the acid-worked surface is intended, not a defect.
Historical Context
Concluding the 2019 Contrive Series, #05 reflects Vhils applying his erosion technique across print media. The series arises from more than a decade of carving portraits into urban surfaces, here compressed into a small, hybrid lithographic edition of 30.
FAQ
What makes #05 notable in the series?
It is the fifth and final image of the Contrive Series, completing the five-part sequence.
How scarce is it?
With only 30 impressions, it is among Vhils's more limited editions.
What technique is used?
Lithography hand-finished with Quink ink and acid for unique surface effects.
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.