Alexandre Farto (VHILS)

orn in 1987, Alexandre Farto, aka VHILS, hails from Lisbon. Internationally renowned for his singular works, VHILS leaves his mark on the walls of urban wastelands by engraving the material. Using a play of chiaroscuro and often surprising techniques (jackhammer, chisel, stonecutter’s hammer, explosive, acid, etc.), VHILS works the walls to reveal gigantic faces, sometimes those of local residents. His work, which revolutionized the stencil technique, has made him one of the world’s best-known graffiti artists. VHIL also exhibits in galleries and museums. In 2008, at the Cans Festival in London, one of his works was exhibited alongside that of Banksy, the global star of street art, of which he was a guest. A photo of the two works made the front page of The Times newspaper.