Update (2026): The Vhils + Shepard Fairey mural featured in this article has unfortunately been removed during the redevelopment of the building. Although it can no longer be visited, it remains one of the most significant examples of Lisbon’s contemporary street art and an important part of the city’s recent cultural history.
Graça Street Art You Shouldn’t Miss
If you’re looking for the best street art in Lisbon, the Vhils and Shepard Fairey mural in Graça is one of the city’s most iconic pieces.
Created in 2017, this collaboration combines two very different artistic styles — Fairey’s bold graphic imagery and Vhils’ unique technique of carving into the wall — making it a must-see for anyone exploring Lisbon beyond the usual tourist spots.
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This Fairey and Vhils co-production depicts a woman’s face. On the left side of the viewer is Shepard Fairey’s painting, and on the right side the wall is chipped away in Vhils’ style.
The woman depicted has her mouth and hair covered, but only in the painted area, while in the chipped area the face is more visible. This difference symbolically reflects the difference in techniques. Fairey, in painting, is adding something to the wall, which is the paint. On the other hand, Vhils, in his work, is removing material from the wall. If we consider the fabric of the scarves covering the mouth and hair as the first layer of the drawing, Vhils, in his work, is exposing the woman’s face in a way that is not present in the painted area.
Vhils (Alexandre Farto)
Alexandre Farto, known artistically as Vhils, was born in Lisbon in 1987 and studied art in London; he gained international recognition for an unconventional method of urban intervention: instead of simply painting, he “sculpts” the city, removing layers of plaster, paint, and materials to reveal portraits and textures that emerge from the wall itself. His work combines industrial tools (drills, chisels, chemical jets) with a documentary sensibility about urban memory and identity.Wikipedia+1
Shepard Fairey
Frank Shepard Fairey (born 1970), known for the OBEY project and the famous “Hope” poster of Barack Obama (2008), emerges from the world of stenciling, graphic design, and activism. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, he creates works that combine pop aesthetics, political iconography, and impactful graphic images—often using stencils, carefully composed layers of color, and symbols that seek to generate public debate. Encyclopedia Britannica+1
Coproduction Fairey & Vhils
The collaboration between Fairey and Vhils on Rua da Senhora da Glória is exemplary because it brings together two complementary methods—graphic stenciling and surface sculpture—to create an image that is simultaneously an instant read and a progressive discovery. Beyond being a visually stunning piece, it functions as a narrative about participation, memory, and the humanization of public space, remaining an essential landmark on Lisbon’s street art routes.
If you’re interested in this collaborative work of Fairey and Vhils work by Oze Arv, you’ll probably also enjoy the the works of Oze Arv and Add Fuel. Since you’re in the Graça neighborhood, don’t miss the Senhora do Monte viewpoint.
What happened to the mural?
- Urban art is often ephemeral;
- The building underwent rehabilitation;
- The mural now survives only through photographs and the memories of those who visited it.
Some monuments survive for centuries. Street art often survives only for a few years. This mural became one of Lisbon’s icons, and its disappearance reminds us that cities are constantly changing.
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