Vhils (Alexandre Farto, 1987)

Vhils, the stage name of Alexandre Farto, is one of the most internationally renowned contemporary Portuguese artists. His artistic practice is distinguished by his exploration of processes involving the removal and transformation of materials, through which he develops a visual language centered on the relationship between the individual and the urban environment. Drawing on the surfaces that make up the urban landscape, the artist creates compositions that reflect on identity, collective memory, and social transformation.

Available Works

Artistic Language

Vhils’ work is known for his bas-relief technique, in which he removes successive layers of material to reveal images and portraits. Walls, wood, metal, paper, and other surfaces are worked on using unconventional tools and processes, including drilling, etching, and cutting. This approach transforms materials often associated with construction and urban life into surfaces for artistic expression.

In addition to mural art, his practice encompasses sculpture, printmaking, painting, installation, photography, and video. His experimentation with different materials and techniques allows him to develop a multidisciplinary body of work in which the processes of construction and deconstruction play a central role.

Biography

Alexandre Farto, known by his artist name Vhils, was born in Lisbon in 1987 and grew up in Seixal, on the south bank of the Tagus River. He began developing his artistic practice through graffiti in the early 2000s. He later studied Fine Arts at Central Saint Martins in London, where he furthered his education and expanded his approach to urban space and artistic creation.

Since 2005, he has presented his work in exhibitions, public interventions, and international projects in cities such as London, Paris, New York, Beijing, and Hong Kong. His participation in the Cans Festival in London in 2008 helped raise the international profile of his work. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with various cultural institutions and presented projects in leading museums and venues, establishing himself as one of the Portuguese artists with the strongest presence on the international contemporary art scene.

Representation in Collections and Museums

  • Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), London, United Kingdom

  • Collection l'Adresse, Musée de La Poste, Paris, France

  • Fondation Carmignac, Porquerolles, France

  • Fluctuart – Urban Art Center, Paris, France

  • MUCA – Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art, Munich, Germany

  • Urban Nation Museum of Urban Contemporary Art, Berlin, Germany

  • China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) Art Museum, Beijing, China

  • Hong Kong Contemporary Art (HOCA) Foundation, Hong Kong, China

  • Hyundai Art Collection, Seoul, South Korea

  • APPortfolio Asia Collection, Shenzhen, China

  • EDP Foundation, Lisbon

  • Portugal Telecom Contemporary Art Collection, Lisbon

  • António Cachola Collection – Elvas Museum of Contemporary Art, Elvas

  • Cascais Cultural Center, Cascais

  • Norlinda and José Lima Collection, São João da Madeira

  • Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, San Diego, United States

  • Pérez Art Museum Miami, Miami, United States

  • MAR – Rio Art Museum, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Luciana and Luis Antonio Almeida Braga Collection, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Nicolau Nasoni Gallery offers a selection of works by Vhils (Alexandre Farto) for sale. You can view the available pieces on our website or contact the gallery directly for information about specific works.

  • The price of a work by Vhils varies depending on the technique, dimensions, edition, materials, and market availability. At the Nicolau Nasoni Gallery, you can view the prices of available works on their respective product pages or request additional information from our team.

  • Vhils' work encompasses a variety of formats and techniques, ranging from engravings and silkscreen prints to sculptures, woodwork, and interventions using various materials.

  • Yes. Vhils is the stage name of Alexandre Farto, a Portuguese artist born in 1987. He has gained international recognition for his artistic interventions on urban surfaces and for his exploration of techniques involving the removal and excavation of materials.