# Vhils

Vhils (born 1987) is the tag name of Portuguese graffiti and street artist Alexandre Manuel Dias Farto.
Alexandre Farto (born January 1987), known professionally as Vhils, is a Portuguese visual artist and urban interventionist celebrated for his groundbreaking techniques in public art. Renowned for his innovative "destructive construction" methods, Vhils carves portraits into walls and urban surfaces, exploring themes of identity, globalization, and collective memory. His works have been exhibited globally, cementing his position as one of the leading figures in contemporary urban art.

## Early life and education

Vhils was born in Seixal, Portugal, in 1987 and grew up in Lisbon's suburban sprawl during a time of cultural and urban transition. Inspired by graffiti and hip-hop culture, he began tagging walls at the age of 13 under the pseudonym "Vhils."
He studied at the at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. His dual exposure to Portugal’s evolving urban landscape and London’s vibrant street art scene greatly influenced his artistic direction.

## Artistic style and techniques

Vhils pioneered a subtractive art process, creating works by removing material from surfaces rather than adding to them. His techniques include:
* Wall carvings: Using chisels, hammers, drills, and explosives to carve portraits into walls, exposing hidden layers of paint, plaster, and brick.
* Bleach acid printing: A method developed in 2008, where acid burns through ink to reveal designs beneath.
* Material exploration: Works made with found objects such as metal, wood, and discarded posters.
* Multimedia works: Including video art, light installations, and sculptures.
This approach highlights the erosion and layering of urban environments, symbolizing hidden histories and personal stories embedded in cityscapes.

## Themes and philosophy

Vhils explores the intersections of urbanization, identity, and memory. His works address the human impact of globalization and modern development while celebrating the resilience of personal and collective histories.
Recurring themes in his art include:
* Urban transformation: How cities shape individual and collective identities.
* Human memory: Uncovering forgotten narratives embedded in urban surfaces.
* Contrasts of modernity: Juxtaposing progress with decay and tradition.

## Major works and projects
### Public art

* Scratching the Surface (2007–present): A series of wall carvings in cities worldwide, including Lisbon, Hong Kong, Paris, and Los Angeles.
* Ulsan Culture & Arts Center Wall (2024): Created for the Why is Urban Art Now exhibition at the Ulsan Art Museum in Korea.
* Metro interventions: Orly Airport Subway in paris -Permanent installations in metro systems, including Lisbon Paris and Shanghai.

### Gallery works

* Underdogs Gallery: Co-founded in Lisbon to promote urban art and support emerging artists.
* Avant Arte Limited Editions (2024): Featuring his bleach acid printing technique.
* Festival Iminente: Co-founded by Vhils, celebrating art, music, and urban culture.

## Exhibitions

Vhils’ works have been exhibited at renowned institutions, including:
* Centre Pompidou, Paris, France
* MOCA, Los Angeles, USA
* Hong Kong Contemporary Art Foundation (HOCA)
* Urban Nation Museum, Berlin, Germany
* Ulsan Art Museum, Ulsan, South Korea

## Awards and recognition

* Forbes 30 Under 30 (2015): Recognized in the Art and Culture category.
* Portuguese Knight Medal (2015): For contributions to Portuguese culture.
* Foreign Press Association Prize of Portugal (2017): Honoring his cultural impact internationally.
* Time Out Lisbon Art Prize (2019): For redefining urban art in Portugal.
* Featured in publications such as TIME Magazine, The Economist, and National Geographic.

## Publications and media

* Scratching the Surface (2016): A monograph detailing his artistic journey.
* Documentaries: His work has been profiled on HBO, Arté, and BBC platforms.

## Legacy

Vhils has revolutionized urban art, transforming destruction into creation and humanizing the cityscape. Through projects like Underdogs Gallery and Festival Iminente, he has fostered a vibrant dialogue between urban spaces and the global art community. His innovative techniques and cultural sensitivity have cemented his role as a transformative figure in contemporary art.