Hiones (XX-XXI) - Smile (U.V. Effects)

Collector's item.
100% hand-painted.
The sculpture is made of PLA.
Work sent in a cardboard box, properly packaged by DHL Express.
Accompanied by COA, a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.

"Smile" is a sculpture that transforms the act of seeing and interpreting into a physical and sensory experience. Composed of 417 individual elements — a solid base and 416 parallelepipeds printed in PLA with varying heights — the work only reveals its true identity when viewed as a whole. At first glance, each piece appears isolated and purely geometric; however, when assembled, they form the abstract image of a smile emerging from depth.

The spray-painted surfaces alternate between black and red, creating a powerful contrast that emphasizes volume and the illusion of movement. The red layer is reactive to UV light, revealing an invisible dimension to the naked eye. When illuminated, the sculpture transforms, as if the smile comes to life, symbolizing hidden emotions and internal energy.

"Smile" invites the viewer to move, approach, and step back to decipher what is before them — a visual metaphor about how small parts can build something greater than themselves. The work questions perception and celebrates the human capacity to find meaning even in fragmentation.

A tribute to the strength of a simple smile: invisible up close, evident from afar, and transformative under the right light.


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 characterized by vibrant colors and defined shapes, his work reflects a strong connection to urban culture. Throughout his career, he has developed a unique style that blends graffiti, contemporary art, illustration, and graphic design. He presents his works in both public and private contexts, aiming to provoke reflection and inspire. Today, he continues to explore new figurative approaches and deepen the impact of his art in the space around him.