Alexandre Farto (1987, Lisbon, Portugal), known by the pseudonym Vhils, is the most renowned Portuguese artist in the field of mural art, thanks to an innovative technique he himself developed. By adopting the concept of material subtraction, Vhils expands the boundaries of mural representation, giving his works a unique originality and instant recognizability.
Vhils: biography
Vhils’ childhood, spent in the industrialized suburb of Seixal, deeply influenced his art, which reflects the urban transformations and social tensions of the 1980s and 1990s. His artistic journey began in the early 2000s as a graffiti writer, where he developed a strong connection with the urban environment and its changes. In 2005, Vhils made his official debut, bringing his work to public attention for the first time. Two years later, in 2007, he presented his innovative bas-relief carving technique at the VSP group exhibition in Lisbon, receiving widespread acclaim. This technique, which combines the art of bas-relief with the concept of material subtraction, was later exhibited at the Cans Festival in London in 2008, solidifying his international reputation.
Vhils: art and city
Street artist Vhils draws from the influence of the changes absorbed by urban spaces over time. He moves through space like a contemporary archaeologist, removing superficial layers to reveal the beauty trapped beneath the surface. Vhils’ art stands out for his innovative bas-relief carving technique and the diversity of media he employs, ranging from stenciling to metal engraving, from painting to pyrotechnic explosions, and from video to sculptural installations. In creating his works, Vhils uses the material subtraction technique: walls are scratched and scraped with chisels and hammers used like brushes. This particular technique not only forms the basis of his Scratching the Surface project but has also been hailed as one of the most intriguing approaches to Street Art in recent years. His seemingly complex artistic practice has the ability to speak directly to human emotions. Central to artist Vhils‘ reflection is life in urban societies, exploring the needs of the individual in a globalizing and increasingly uniform world.
Vhils: major exhibitions and collaborations
To date, Vhils has traversed various countries worldwide with site-specific interventions, solo and group exhibitions, and collaborations with prestigious communities and institutions.Among the most notable are the MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (Lisbon), the Contemporary Arts Center (Cincinnati), Le Centquatre-Paris (Paris), the Centre Pompidou (Paris), the CAFA Art Museum (Beijing), and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (San Diego).
