Alexandre Farto

By LatAm ARTE

Alexandre Farto, also known as Vhils, is a Portuguese artist who has left an indelible mark on street art. His groundbreaking technique involves carving bas-relief forms into walls using unconventional tools. This method, which he first presented in 2007, has been celebrated as one of the most compelling approaches to street art in recent years. Vhils’ work is a striking blend of brutality and complexity, yet it carries a simplicity that resonates with human emotions. His art reflects an ongoing exploration of identity, life in contemporary urban environments, and the impact of globalized development. Themes such as individual aspirations versus daily demands, cultural erosion, and resistance emerge from his creations. Growing up in Seixal, an industrial suburb near Lisbon, Vhils was profoundly influenced by the urban changes of the 1980s and 1990s. He observed how city walls absorbed social and historical shifts. Using his unique methods, Vhils peels back layers of material culture, revealing what lies beneath the