Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Vhils Print Index
Woodcut
Summary
Woodcut (2019) is a horizontal 50 x 100 cm print in an edition of 300, produced with screen print ink, Quink ink, bleach and acid on Keaykolour Original China White 300 g/m2 paper. The corrosive, layered technique gives the image the weathered surface characteristic of Vhils' portrait work.
Why It Matters
Despite its title, Woodcut showcases Vhils' hallmark chemical approach rather than relief carving, using bleach and acid to erode the printed surface. The wide landscape format offers a different compositional register from his more common vertical portraits, emphasising texture and material breakdown.
Collector Perspective
As an edition of 300, Woodcut is accessible, but the bleach-and-acid process introduces impression-to-impression variation that rewards close inspection. The larger horizontal format and premium China White stock make it a substantial paper work. Confirm signature, numbering and the intended corrosive surface effects.
Historical Context
Produced in 2019 under the Vhils name, Woodcut sits within Alexandre Farto's studio editions that adapt the erosion aesthetic of his public carvings to paper. The consistent use of Quink ink, bleach and acid across this period ties it to his broader technical vocabulary.
FAQ
Is Woodcut actually a woodcut print?
The title notwithstanding, it is made with screen print ink, Quink ink, bleach and acid on paper, not a traditional relief woodcut.
What are its dimensions?
It measures 50 x 100 cm in a horizontal orientation.
How large is the edition?
The edition is 300 on Keaykolour Original China White 300 g/m2 paper.
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.