GLOBALGRIND'S GALLERY: The Chiseled Faces of Vhils

Vhils is the tag name of Alexandre Farto, a 23-yr-old Portuguese graffiti/street artist. Farto gained attention when his work of a carved face appeared alongside a picture by Banksy at the Cans Festival in London in 2008. He was later given space to show his work by Banksy’s agent, Steve Lazarides.

Using tools like a power drill, chisel, and different types of paint, Vhils literally scratches off the surface of buildings to create his masterpieces; pointing an eye towards the historical decay of streetscapes. He uses various techniques to achieve his style including etching into brick, reverse graffiti and stenciling.

In an interview with Michael Slenske for The World’s Best Ever he said “It’s a process of trying to reflect upon our own layers. Its aim is not to come up with solutions but to conduct research, to confront systems, materials, processes, elements, to create friction and confront the individual with the process, with the system: an active critical process that stems from the same environment upon which it aims to reflect.”

Check out a gallery of his outstanding street work!

Face sculpture by Vhils knocked out of the wall at Cans Festival

Vhils and JR Collaborate in LA

Another incredible Vhils piece, this time in Moscow.

Another incredible Vhils piece, this time in Moscow.

Another incredible Vhils piece, this time in Moscow.

Done as part of the Visual Street Performance (VSP) event

Face sculpture by Vhils knocked out of the wall at Cans Festival

Vhils at Viva La Revolucion at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Ended.