Culture & heritage
Scratching the Surface by Vhils
Vhils’ carved wall artwork on the exterior of the Portuguese Embassy, on Charoen Krung Soi 30. The 2017 work is a street-side stop in Bang Rak’s art district.
Visiting essentials
Location
Exterior wall of the Portuguese Embassy, Charoen Krung Soi 30 / Captain Bush Lane, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500Artwork directions
Use the original mapped artwork point on the lane Check detailsSculptures directory
Browse sculptures in Thailand Check detailsStreet-side viewing
The map labels the outdoor artwork open 24 hours. View from the street and follow local access arrangements; this does not establish embassy opening hours or unrestricted access. Daylight is useful for seeing the carved texture.
About this place
Scratching the Surface is Alexandre Farto’s wall-carving artwork, made under his artist name Vhils at the Portuguese Embassy on Charoen Krung Soi 30, also known as Captain Bush Lane. Portraits and patterns are cut into the wall surface rather than simply painted over it.
The project dates from 2017. The Portuguese Embassy and Portuguese Cultural Centre initiated it with support from Camões and Minor Group. It forms a street-side artwork on the embassy exterior.
Use the artwork’s map point for the street-side wall. Daylight helps reveal the texture of the carved surface. Respect the wall and keep the pavement clear; viewing the artwork does not include entry to embassy grounds. The map labels it open 24 hours, but that is not a guarantee of unrestricted access or embassy opening hours.
Location map
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Portraits carved into the wall
Vhils creates this type of work by removing material from a wall’s surface. Here, portraits and patterns form a relief across the embassy’s exterior. The 2017 project was initiated by the Portuguese Embassy and Portuguese Cultural Centre, with Camões and Minor Group support.
Find the street-side work
Follow Charoen Krung Soi 30, also known as Captain Bush Lane, to the artwork map point. View from the street while keeping the pavement clear. Embassy entry is governed separately. The map labels the outdoor artwork open 24 hours. View from the street and follow local access arrangements; this does not establish embassy opening hours or unrestricted access. Daylight is useful for seeing the carved texture.
Artwork photograph and source
The photograph was published in Jacqueline Hadel’s TOKIDOKI (NOMAD) article on 23 January 2026. The individual capture date is unconfirmed. It shows the actual wall relief; the surface and surroundings may change over time.
Sources & review
Content owner: antonyegiles
Last reviewed
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