Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Decal
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Decal (2021) is a hand-painted multiple made of papier-mâché and paint, 100 x 70 cm, hand-finished, signed, and numbered in an edition of 50 with 5 APs. Its sculptural, molded surface departs entirely from flat printing, giving each example the presence of a unique relief object built from a humble, tactile material.
Collector notes: Edition of 50 plus 5 artist's proofs according to the saved release record. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
Papier-mâché is an unexpected, almost fragile material for Vhils, and its hand-painted finish means each of the 50 is individually worked, making them closer to unique reliefs than reproducible prints. The moulded surface introduces genuine physical texture and shadow, extending his interest in dimensional portraiture into a lightweight, handcrafted medium at large scale.
Collector Perspective
At only 50 plus 5 APs and hand-painted, Decal is a scarce, effectively one-off relief within its edition. The 100 x 70 cm papier-mâché form has strong sculptural presence but demands careful, humidity-conscious handling given the material. Collectors valuing hand-made uniqueness and tactile surface over flat editions will find this a distinctive holding in the Vhils catalogue.
Historical Context
Papier-mâché is an ancient, accessible modelling material rarely associated with contemporary fine-art editions, which makes Vhils's use of it notable. Hand-painting each multiple aligns with his broader move toward dimensional, object-based works in the early 2020s. Decal exemplifies his willingness to work across unconventional media in service of his relief portraiture.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print or object
- Release date
- 2021
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Hand Painted Multiple; catalog dimensions 100 x 70 cm; Hand-finished, signed and numbered by the artist.
- Edition details
- Edition of 50 plus 5 artist's proofs according to the saved release record.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Vhils's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: No per-work artist statement is recorded for this edition. Any thematic reading should be treated as interpretation of the imagery, not a documented statement of the artist's intent. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2021 and attributes the edition to Underdogs.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Underdogs. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Vhils — official site — Vhils studio · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- Vhils — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Vhils (Q115823) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
What is Decal made from?
Papier-mâché and paint, hand-finished at 100 x 70 cm.
What is the edition size?
Edition of 50, plus 5 artist's proofs, signed and numbered.
Is each example unique?
Effectively yes; each is hand-painted, giving individual variation across the edition.
How should it be cared for?
As a papier-mâché relief object, it needs careful, humidity-conscious handling and mounting.
