Scratching the Surface Project Mural

Gazing upon this weathered wall, one might see just an old building. But look closer at the Scratching the Surface Project Mural. It holds a hidden depth, a story etched into its very being. Created by Portuguese artist Alexandre Farto, also known as Vhils, this mural isn’t just paint on a surface. It’s a bas-relief carving, a technique that reveals the image by carefully chipping away at the wall. Vhils spent five days in February 2017 meticulously crafting this masterpiece on the wall of the Portuguese Embassy on Charoenkrung Soi 30. The Scratching the Surface Project Mural depicts local faces of the old community interwoven with Portuguese patterns. It’s a visual representation of the centuries-long relationship between Thailand and Portugal. This unique artwork is more than just an Instagrammable spot. It’s a testament to the power of art to bridge cultures and reveal the stories hidden beneath the surface. The mural is a part of Vhils’s larger Scratching the Surface project, with similar works found in cities like Lisbon and London. As you admire the Scratching the Surface Project Mural, consider the hands that shaped it. The tools that chipped away to reveal the faces and patterns, the history embedded in the walls, and the connection between two vastly different cultures woven together in this unique art form.