Alexandre Farto aka Vhils / Works

Exhibition view: Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma, 2024
Exhibition view: Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma, 2024
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #06, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 151 x 75 x 48 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #06, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 151 x 75 x 48 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Blinder Series #05, 2024. Die-cut blinds and tubular lights. 170 x 120 x 12 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Blinder Series #05, 2024. Die-cut blinds and tubular lights. 170 x 120 x 12 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Blinder Series #04, 2024. Die-cut blinds and tubular lights. 170 x 120 x 12 cm © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Blinder Series #04, 2024. Die-cut blinds and tubular lights. 170 x 120 x 12 cm © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #01, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask microcontrollers. 155 x 260 x 55 cm. Unique © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #01, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask microcontrollers. 155 x 260 x 55 cm. Unique © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #07, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 152 x 269 x 52 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #07, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 152 x 269 x 52 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #02, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 154 x 123 x 61 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #02, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 154 x 123 x 61 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #04, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 154 x 60 x 56 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #04, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 154 x 60 x 56 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #06, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 151 x 75 x 48 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #06, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 151 x 75 x 48 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #03, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 155 x 80 x 54 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma Series #03, 2024. Tubular lights with stencil mask and microcontrollers. 155 x 80 x 54 cm. © Alexander Silva
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, SUBSTRATUM – Scratching the Surface project | UNESCO, 2023. ©JoséPandoLucas
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, SUBSTRATUM – Scratching the Surface project | UNESCO, 2023. ©JoséPandoLucas
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Strates Urbaines, Orly station, Paris,2024
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Strates Urbaines, Orly station, Paris,2024
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Graven Series #14, 2022. Hand-carved old wooden doors. 68,5 x 214 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Graven Series #14, 2022. Hand-carved old wooden doors. 68,5 x 214 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Decompose Series #02, 2014. Old wooden doors, hand-carved, cut and assembled. 100 x 75 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Decompose Series #02, 2014. Old wooden doors, hand-carved, cut and assembled. 100 x 75 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Decompose Series #01, 2014. Old wooden doors, hand-carved, cut and assembled. 102 x 70 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Decompose Series #01, 2014. Old wooden doors, hand-carved, cut and assembled. 102 x 70 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Atomizer Series #26, 2022. Advertising posters, spray paint, glue, crystal epoxy. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Atomizer Series #26, 2022. Advertising posters, spray paint, glue, crystal epoxy. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Atomizer Series #20, 2022. Advertising posters, spray paint, glue, crystal epoxy. 150 x 120 cm
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Atomizer Series #20, 2022. Advertising posters, spray paint, glue, crystal epoxy. 150 x 120 cm



Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Refract Series #01, 2024. Embossed glazed ceramic tiles. 229 x 171 x 8 cm. Unique






Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Refract Series #01, 2024. Embossed glazed ceramic tiles. 229 x 171 x 8 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Refract Series #03, 2024. Embossed glazed ceramic tiles. 229 x 171 x 8 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Refract Series #03, 2024. Embossed glazed ceramic tiles. 229 x 171 x 8 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Beam Series #18, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 187 x 131 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Beam Series #18, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 187 x 131 cm. Unique



Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Unearth Series #17, 2022. Hand-carved advertising posters. 179 x 127 cm. Unique






Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Unearth Series #17, 2022. Hand-carved advertising posters. 179 x 127 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Amber Series #12, 2022. Advertising posters, spray paint, glue, crystal epoxy. 85 x 49.5 x 15 cm. 179 x 50.5 x 33.5 (with podium). Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Amber Series #12, 2022. Advertising posters, spray paint, glue, crystal epoxy. 85 x 49.5 x 15 cm. 179 x 50.5 x 33.5 (with podium). Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Amber Series #12, 2022 (detail). Advertising posters, spray paint, glue, crystal epoxy. 85 x 49.5 x 15 cm. 179 x 50.5 x 33.5 (with podium). Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Amber Series #12, 2022 (detail). Advertising posters, spray paint, glue, crystal epoxy. 85 x 49.5 x 15 cm. 179 x 50.5 x 33.5 (with podium). Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Whole Series #03, 2022. Hand-carved advertising posters. 100 x 70 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Whole Series #03, 2022. Hand-carved advertising posters. 100 x 70 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Havoc Series #02, 2020. Hand-carved old metal and wooden door. 184 x 106 x 12 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Havoc Series #02, 2020. Hand-carved old metal and wooden door. 184 x 106 x 12 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Haze, Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, 2020
(Photo: Alexander Silva)
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Haze, Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, 2020
(Photo: Alexander Silva)
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Glimmer series #02, 2022. Water jet cut Corian, assembled by hand, led lights. 79,5 x 53,5 x 17 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Glimmer series #02, 2022. Water jet cut Corian, assembled by hand, led lights. 79,5 x 53,5 x 17 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Glimmer series #02, 2022. Water jet cut Corian, assembled by hand, led lights. 79,5 x 53,5 x 17 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Glimmer series #02, 2022. Water jet cut Corian, assembled by hand, led lights. 79,5 x 53,5 x 17 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Whole Series #09, 2022. Hand-carved advertising posters. 100 x 70 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Whole Series #09, 2022. Hand-carved advertising posters. 100 x 70 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Scrape Series #09, 2022. Hand-carved advertising posters. 184 x 146 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Scrape Series #09, 2022. Hand-carved advertising posters. 184 x 146 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Prisma, MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, Lisbon, 2022.
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Prisma, MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, Lisbon, 2022.
Exhibition view: Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Prisma, MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, Lisbon, 2022. Photo: Fernando Guerra
Exhibition view: Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Prisma, MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, Lisbon, 2022. Photo: Fernando Guerra
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Atomizer Series #11, 2021. Advertising posters, spray paint, glue, crystal epoxy. 150 x 120 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Atomizer Series #11, 2021. Advertising posters, spray paint, glue, crystal epoxy. 150 x 120 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Amber Series #17, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 107 × 85 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Amber Series #17, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 107 × 85 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Amber Series #15, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 108 × 78 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Amber Series #15, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 108 × 78 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Instant Series #24, 2016. Acid-etched metal plate. 100 x 70 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Instant Series #24, 2016. Acid-etched metal plate. 100 x 70 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Amber Series #16, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 112 × 84 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Amber Series #16, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 112 × 84 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Unearth Series #01, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 175 x 127 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Unearth Series #01, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 175 x 127 cm. Unique
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Contemplate Series #01, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 174 x 119 cm
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Contemplate Series #01, 2021. Hand-carved advertising posters. 174 x 119 cm
Exhibition view: Fenestra, Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Galeria Vera Cortês, 2021
Exhibition view: Fenestra, Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Galeria Vera Cortês, 2021
Exhibition view: Fenestra, Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Galeria Vera Cortês, 2021
Exhibition view: Fenestra, Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Galeria Vera Cortês, 2021
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Parietal Series #01, 2021
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Parietal Series #01, 2021
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Standing Series #01, 2021
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Standing Series #01, 2021
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Reflection Series #04, 2020. Hand-carved advertising posters.
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Reflection Series #04, 2020. Hand-carved advertising posters.
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Umbra Series #26, 2020
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Umbra Series #26, 2020
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Umbra Series #10, 2020. Hand-carved advertising posters.
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Umbra Series #10, 2020. Hand-carved advertising posters.
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Strata Series #05, 2020. Hand-carved advertising posters.
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Strata Series #05, 2020. Hand-carved advertising posters.
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Intrínseco, Galeria Vera Cortês, 2018
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Intrínseco, Galeria Vera Cortês, 2018
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Intrínseco, Galeria Vera Cortês, 2018
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Intrínseco, Galeria Vera Cortês, 2018
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, GS1 Portugal, 2 in collaboration with PROMONTORIO architects. Photo: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, GS1 Portugal, 2 in collaboration with PROMONTORIO architects. Photo: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Haze, Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, 2020
(Photo: Fernando Guerra)
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Haze, Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, 2020
(Photo: Fernando Guerra)
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Haze, Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, 2020
(Photo: Fernando Guerra)
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Haze, Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, 2020
(Photo: Fernando Guerra)
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Debris, HOCA Foundation, Hong Kong, 2016
Alexandre Farto aka Vhils
Exhibition view: Debris, HOCA Foundation, Hong Kong, 2016

Zoom 1 / 53 Exhibition view: Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Diafragma, 2024

Exhibitions

Bio

Portuguese artist Alexandre Farto aka Vhils (b. 1987) has developed a unique visual language based on the removal of the surface layers of walls and other media with non-conventional tools and techniques. He began interacting with the urban environment through the practice of graffiti in the early 2000s. Peeling back the layers of our material culture like a modern-day urban archaeologist, Vhils reflects on the impact of urbanity, development and global homogenisation on landscapes and people’s identities. Destroying to create, he delivers powerful and poetic visual statements from materials the city rejects, humanising depressed areas with his poignant large-scale portraits. Since 2005 he has been presenting his work around the world in exhibitions, events and other contexts – from working with communities in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, to collaborations with well-reputed institutions such as MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (Lisbon); MIMA Museum (Brussels); Contemporary Arts Center (Cincinnati); Le Centquatre-Paris (Paris); CAFA Art Museum (Beijing); Hong Kong Contemporary Art Foundation (Hong Kong); Palais de Tokyo (Paris); and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (San Diego), among others. An avid experimentalist, besides his groundbreaking bas-relief carving technique, Vhils has been developing his personal aesthetics in a plurality of media: from stencil painting to metal etching, from pyrotechnic explosions and video to sculptural installations. He has also directed several music videos, short films, and two stage productions.

His work is represented in several public and private collections in various countries.

O artista português Alexandre Farto aka Vhils (n. 1987) tem desenvolvido uma linguagem visual singular com base na remoção das camadas superficiais de paredes e outros suportes através de ferramentas e técnicas não convencionais, estabelecendo reflexões simbólicas sobre a identidade, a relação de interdependência entre pessoas e o meio circundante, e a vida nas sociedades urbanas contemporâneas, assim como o impacto do desenvolvimento, da passagem do tempo e da transformação material. Tendo começado a interagir com o espaço urbano através da prática do graffiti no começo da década de 2000, Vhils tem sido aclamado como um dos mais inovadores artistas da sua geração. Os seus poéticos e comoventes retratos gravados em paredes delapidadas podem ser vistos a adornar paisagens urbanas pelo mundo fora. Com base na sua estética do vandalismo, Vhils destrói para criar – entalhando, cortando, perfurando e fazendo explodir através das camadas dos materiais. Porém, como um arqueólogo, Vhils remove de forma a expor, revelando a beleza que se encontra soterrada sob a superfície das coisas.

Desde 2005, tem apresentado o seu trabalho em mais de 30 países do mundo em exposições individuais e colectivas, intervenções artísticas site-specific, eventos artísticos e projectos em vários contextos – desde o trabalho com comunidades nas favelas do Rio de Janeiro, a colaborações com instituições de arte de renome como o MAAT – Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia (Lisboa), Contemporary Arts Center (Cincinnati), Le Centquatre-Paris (Paris), Centre Pompidou (Paris), CAFA Art Museum (Pequim), ou o Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (San Diego), entre outros. Um ávido experimentalista, Vhils tem vindo a desenvolver a sua estética pessoal numa pluralidade de meios para além da sua técnica de escultura caraterística: da pintura a stencil à gravura em metal, das explosões pirotécnicas e do vídeo às instalações escultóricas. Também realizou vários videoclips, curtas-metragens e duas produções de palco.

Encontra-se representado em diversas colecções públicas e privadas em vários países.

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