Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Looming (First Edition)
Summary
Looming (2016) is a hand-finished screen print in an edition of 40 at 72 × 50.5 cm on Fedrigoni cotton wove premium white 350gsm. It layers screenprint, acrylic ink, Quink ink, bleach, and acid, and each sheet is signed and numbered by the artist.
Why It Matters
The small edition of 40 makes Looming one of the tighter releases in Vhils' 2016 print catalogue. Its title suggests a presence emerging from the surface — the sensation his carved portraits create — here achieved through the interplay of printed ink and corrosive subtraction rather than physical excavation.
Collector Perspective
At only 40 impressions on heavyweight 350gsm Fedrigoni cotton, Looming combines relative scarcity with substantial paper quality. The full chemical hand-finishing ensures each sheet is unique, appealing to collectors who prioritize smaller edition sizes within the artist's output.
Historical Context
Looming sits within Vhils' 2016 program of hand-finished screen prints, sharing the Quink-bleach-acid method of Stratum and Dissonância but on a heavier Fedrigoni cotton and in a markedly smaller edition, reflecting his range of run sizes that year.
FAQ
How scarce is Looming?
The edition is 40, smaller than many of Vhils' 2016 screen prints, making it comparatively harder to find.
What paper is it on?
Fedrigoni cotton wove premium white, a heavyweight 350gsm stock.
Is each print unique?
Yes, the bleach and acid finishing makes every one of the 40 sheets individual.
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.