Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Roots
Summary
Roots, from 2009, is a hand-finished screen print in a varied edition of 30, measuring 70 x 49.5 cm and signed by the artist. Its title gestures toward origin and belonging, and as a varied edition each of the 30 signed sheets carries distinct hand-finishing across the run.
Why It Matters
With only 30 varied impressions, Roots sits among Vhils's rarest early editions. The title resonates with his enduring interest in identity and the layered histories embedded in people and places, themes he literally excavates by carving through wall surfaces. This print encodes that concern at a small, personal scale.
Collector Perspective
The edition of 30 and varied hand-finishing give Roots strong scarcity and object-specific character. Collectors should assess the individual sheet's finishing and confirm the artist's signature. Same dimensions and format as the untitled 2009 works, suggesting it belongs to a cohesive early series worth considering together.
Historical Context
Made in 2009 as Vhils transitioned from street recognition to gallery representation, Roots reflects the period just after his Cans Festival breakthrough. The theme of origins mirrors his broader practice of revealing what lies beneath surfaces, treating faces and walls as records of accumulated history.
FAQ
How many were made?
It is a varied edition of 30, hand-finished and signed, making it one of Vhils's scarcer early prints.
What does the title suggest?
"Roots" evokes origin and identity, themes that run through Vhils's excavation-based portrait practice.
What are the dimensions?
70 x 49.5 cm, matching the format of his other 2009 hand-finished prints.
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.