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Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's presidency immortalized in shredded newspaper art

What if a president's legacy could be etched not in bronze, but in headlines? This groundbreaking piece turns 10 years of history into hauntingly beautiful art.

The image shows a portrait of a man in a suit and tie, identified as ARTIST, the first President of...
The image shows a portrait of a man in a suit and tie, identified as ARTIST, the first President of the United States. The portrait is on a piece of paper with some text written on it.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's presidency immortalized in shredded newspaper art

A striking new portrait of former Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has gone on display in Lisbon. The artwork, crafted entirely from newspapers collected during his decade in office, offers a fresh take on presidential portraiture.

The piece, titled History Sculpted in Paper, was created by artist Alexandre Farto, better known as Vhils. Using his signature manual 'excavation' technique, he carved the portrait from layers of newsprint spanning Rebelo de Sousa's 10-year term. The process took six months to complete.

The finished work, measuring 195 cm in height and 120 cm in width, now features prominently at the Museum of the Presidency of the Republic in Belém, Lisbon. Unlike traditional pieces, this artwork blends contemporary art with historical documentation.

The portrait marks the first time a former Portuguese president has been depicted in this unconventional style. Visitors can see the artwork at the museum, where it joins the collection of presidential memorabilia. The piece serves as both a visual record and a creative reflection on Rebelo de Sousa's time in office.

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