Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Subsume #2 (First Edition)
Summary
Subsume #2 (First Edition), 2019, is the companion to Subsume #1: a silkscreen in ink and bleach at 70 x 50 cm, edition of 80 plus 8 artist's proofs. It continues the bleach-driven, subtractive treatment across the pair, offering a second facet of the same portrait investigation.
Why It Matters
Subsume #2 completes the two-part statement, reinforcing Vhils' theme of images emerging through erosion. Held together, the pair demonstrates his method of using bleach to unmake surface and reveal form, a paper analogue to the way his wall portraits are chiselled out rather than added on.
Collector Perspective
With 80 plus 8 AP, Subsume #2 shares the relative scarcity of its counterpart. Collectors frequently seek matching low numbers across the pair. Because bleach reacts individually on each sheet, comparing the two impressions for tonal balance is worthwhile when assembling the diptych.
Historical Context
Released alongside Subsume #1 in 2019, this print belongs to Vhils' bleach-based silkscreen output. It reflects the studio phase in which Alexandre Farto systematised the corrosive surface effects of his public carvings into limited paper editions.
FAQ
Does Subsume #2 stand alone?
It can, but it was conceived as the companion to Subsume #1 and is often collected as a pair.
What is the edition size?
80 impressions plus 8 artist's proofs, matching Subsume #1.
What medium is it?
Silkscreen with ink and bleach on paper at 70 x 50 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.