‘'Purpose’ by VHILS (Alexandre Farto), 2022
Hand-finished risograph with bleach on black 170 g/m2 paper. Each print has unique characteristics, any imperfections or edgewear is an indication of the hand-crafted process.
17 x 12 in | 30 x 42 cm
Limited Edition of 250 (#91/250).
Hand-signed and numbered by the artist.

ARTIST BIO
Alexandre Farto (also known as Vhils) was born in 1987 in Portugal. He grew up in the outskirts of Lisbon. He studied at the University of the Arts in London, Central Saint Martins, and Byam Shaw Fine Art Skills and Practices. He was raised in Portugal, during a period that was deeply affected by the revolution at the time. It was then that he witnessed much destruction and the effects of the war on the walls. The Carnation Revolution of 1974 affected the outskirts of Lisbon and other parts of Portugal.

Vhils gained prominence when carved portrait was revealed alongside street artist Banksy at the Cans Festival in London in 2008. Later, Banksy’s agent, Steve Lazarides, gave him additional space to create his street art carvings. Soon after several of his works were published. One of Vhils most popular forms of media is his relief portrait. These portraits are chiseled into plaster and brick walls all over the world.

This artist believes that destruction is a form of construction. You read that right. As crazy as it sounds he has found a very impressive method and that is by etching, scratching, carving and even exploding walls! Of course, much graffiti can be labeled destructive, but his work is truly pushing the boundaries. He believes change is necessary to communicate with the mass public, and this includes society. Vhils currently lives and works in London and Lisbon.