Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Shadows
Summary
Shadows (2016) is a 3D nylon SLS print presented in a glassed wooden frame, in an edition of 12 plus 3 artist's proofs. The piece itself measures 22 x 18 x 5 cm within a frame of 31 x 28 x 8.8 cm, and is signed and numbered, making it one of Vhils' scarcest dimensional editions.
Why It Matters
Shadows moves Vhils' portraiture into fully three-dimensional territory using selective laser sintering. The nylon SLS process casts real shadows across the relief, literalising the interplay of light and depth that defines his carved wall faces. It is a technologically distinct entry in his catalogue.
Collector Perspective
At just 12 plus 3 AP, Shadows is genuinely rare and among the most limited Vhils editions. Its 3D-printed relief in a glassed wooden frame is a display object where condition of both piece and housing matters. Collectors should confirm the frame integrity, glazing and the signature and numbering.
Historical Context
In 2016 Vhils experimented with new fabrication methods, and Shadows applied 3D nylon SLS printing to his portrait relief. This aligns with his broader interest in depth and excavation, here achieved through additive manufacturing rather than the subtractive carving of his walls.
FAQ
How was Shadows made?
It is a 3D nylon SLS (selective laser sintering) print, presented in a glassed wooden frame.
How limited is it?
The edition is 12 plus 3 artist's proofs, signed and numbered, making it very scarce.
What are the dimensions?
The piece is 22 x 18 x 5 cm; the frame is 31 x 28 x 8.8 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.