Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Universal Personhood
Summary
Universal Personhood (2018) is a collaboration between Vhils and Shepard Fairey: a two-colour screen print on Keaykolour Original China White 300 g/m2 paper at 70 x 50 cm, hand-finished by Vhils with Quink ink and bleach. Signed and numbered by both artists in an edition of 150.
Why It Matters
This edition unites two of the most recognisable figures in contemporary street-rooted art. Fairey's graphic clarity meets Vhils' corrosive hand-finishing, and the dual signatures make it a crossover object for collectors of either artist. The bleach work ensures the collaboration retains Vhils' subtractive signature.
Collector Perspective
Dual-artist prints signed by both Vhils and Shepard Fairey carry appeal across two collector bases, and the edition of 150 is moderately limited. The Vhils hand-finishing means impressions vary. Verifying both signatures and the numbering is especially important for a collaborative work like this.
Historical Context
Vhils and Shepard Fairey both emerged from public art traditions and have exhibited within overlapping circles. Universal Personhood (2018) formalises that connection in print, pairing Fairey's poster aesthetic with Vhils' erosion techniques on shared China White stock.
FAQ
Who created this print?
It is a collaboration between Vhils and Shepard Fairey, signed and numbered by both artists.
What is the edition size?
150, on Keaykolour Original China White 300 g/m2 paper at 70 x 50 cm.
How was it made?
A two-colour screen print, hand-finished by Vhils with Quink 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.