Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Deface
Summary
Deface (2010), credited to Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, is a two-colour silkscreen with a final hand-painted layer of ink and bleach, in an edition of 30 at 50 × 70 cm on Sennelier 200gsm paper. Each sheet is signed and numbered.
Why It Matters
As a 2010 work, Deface is one of the earliest datable Vhils editions, showing his bleach-and-ink hand-finishing already established. The pointed title — to deface — reframes an act usually seen as vandalism into a deliberate creative gesture, aligning the print with the ethos of his street origins.
Collector Perspective
With an edition of just 30 and a 2010 date, Deface is both scarce and foundational, appealing to collectors seeking the origins of Vhils' print practice. The hand-painted bleach layer makes each impression unique, and the Alexandre Farto credit marks it as an early, pre-market-consolidation release.
Historical Context
Dating to 2010, Deface is among the earliest editioned Vhils prints, from the period when he still signed as Alexandre Farto aka Vhils. It documents the beginning of his studio translation of the corrosive, subtractive language he had been developing on walls.
FAQ
How early is Deface?
It dates to 2010, making it one of the earliest editioned Vhils prints.
What does the title suggest?
'Deface' reframes an act associated with vandalism as a deliberate creative gesture, tied to Vhils' street roots.
How large is the edition?
30 impressions on Sennelier 200gsm paper, each hand-finished with ink and bleach.
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.