Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Untitled 1
Summary
Untitled 1 is a 2009 hand-finished screen print from a varied edition of 30, measuring 70 x 49.5 cm and signed by the artist. As a varied edition, each of the 30 sheets differs in its hand-finishing, making this one of the scarcer and more individualized works from Vhils's early print period.
Why It Matters
The small varied edition of 30 places this among Vhils's most limited prints, closer to a series of unique works than a uniform run. Produced in 2009, it captures the artist at the point where his gallery practice was still forming, before larger editions, giving it an intimacy and rarity that later prints rarely match.
Collector Perspective
An edition of just 30, varied and hand-finished, means high scarcity and per-sheet individuality, both attractive to collectors. Because impressions differ, condition and the specific character of the finishing on a given sheet matter more than usual. Confirm the signature and note the untitled works often circulate as a paired set.
Historical Context
2009 was a formative year for Vhils, following his breakout at the Cans Festival in London where his wall-drilling technique drew wide attention. This early, small-edition print reflects that emergent moment, when he was translating the raw texture of his street portraits into controlled studio editions.
FAQ
How rare is this print?
It comes from a varied edition of only 30, one of the smallest runs in Vhils's early print output.
What does "varied edition" mean?
Each of the 30 impressions is individually hand-finished, so no two sheets are identical.
Is it signed?
Yes, each print is signed by the artist and measures 70 x 49.5 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.