Hiones (XX-XXI) - Pixel Smile

Collector's Item.
100% hand-painted on PLA/stainless steel.
Work shipped in a cardboard box via DHL Express.
Accompanied by a COA, certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.
Includes the entire “French cleat” system, including wall mount, screws and wall anchors.

Pixel Smile presents itself as a vibrant field of three-dimensional modules emerging from the surface, creating an optical illusion between the digital and the physical. The composition, built from a strict grid, evokes the language of pixels — the minimal image units — translated here into volume, shadow and rhythm.

Produced in PLA and stainless steel, the work combines structural lightness with durability, allowing a solid sculptural presence despite its modular nature. The spray paint application reinforces the urban and contemporary character of the piece, introducing chromatic transitions from bright yellow to warm orange, contrasted by areas of deep black and turquoise accents. This palette creates a dynamic visual vibration, suggesting movement and a kind of “smile” emerging from the apparent chaos of the matrix.

The variation in depth of the elements generates a constant play of light and shadow, transforming the perception of the work throughout the day and depending on the observer's viewpoint. There is a subtle tension between order and spontaneity: the grid imposes structure, while color and relief introduce emotion and unpredictability.

Designed for wall installation, Pixel Smile is fixed via a French cleat system, ensuring safety and a clean presentation, in which the piece appears to float slightly away from the wall. This solution reinforces its architectural dimension, making it not just an object, but a spatial intervention.

The work sits at the intersection between sculpture, painting and digital language, questioning how we translate human emotions — such as a simple smile — through contemporary visual codes.

About Hione

Hione is a visual artist from Porto who, since 2013, has used graffiti as his main form of expression. With a visual language marked by vibrant colors and defined shapes, his work reflects a strong connection to urban culture. Over his career, he has developed a unique style that fuses graffiti, contemporary art, illustration and graphic design. He presents his works in public and private contexts, with the aim of provoking reflection and inspiring. Today he continues to explore new figurative approaches and to deepen the impact of his art in the space around him.