Vhils | |
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Born | Alexandre Farto 1987 (age 36–37) |
Nationality | Portuguese |
Education | Byam Shaw School of Art |
Style | Street art |
Website | www |
Vhils (born 1987) is the tag name of Portuguese graffiti and street artist Alexandre Manuel Dias Farto.
Vhils | |
---|---|
Born | Alexandre Manuel Dias Farto January 1, 1987 Seixal, Portugal |
Nationality | Portuguese |
Known for | Wall carvings, urban art, public installations |
Notable work | Scratching the Surface, Metro Interventions |
Movement | Contemporary art, Urban art |
Awards | Forbes 30 Under 30 (2015), Portuguese Knight Medal (2015), Foreign Press Association Prize of Portugal (2017), Time Out Lisbon Art Prize (2019) |
Website | www.vhils.com |
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.
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.
Vhils pioneered a subtractive art process, creating works by removing material from surfaces rather than adding to them. His techniques include:
This approach highlights the erosion and layering of urban environments, symbolizing hidden histories and personal stories embedded in cityscapes.
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:
Vhils’ works have been exhibited at renowned institutions, including:
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.
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