20 Years of Vhils' Art on View at Munich's MUCA

Photo: Jose Pando Lucas

Portuguese street artist Alexandre Farto, also known as Vhils, rose to fame thanks to his innovative technique of drilling portraits onto the surface of walls. Now, his career is being celebrated with a major exhibition at Munich's Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA). Strata is a comprehensive look at Vhils' artistic production over the last two decades.

From his iconic Scratching the Surfaces series, which sees him carving the urban environment to create his portraits, to large-scale installations and mixed-media projects, the works on display show his versatility as an artist. Starting with his early work and including some never-before-seen pieces, Strata is a fascinating glimpse into Vhils' creative development.

The exhibition's title, Strata, is fitting, as it is the plural of “stratum.” This word, which is defined as “one of the parts or layers into which something is separated,” perfectly sums up Vhils' work. Whether he is slicing through layers of a billboard or carving through sections of plaster, his work is an investigation that peels back the levels of the city.

Visitors to the exhibition can expect an immersive experience, with Vhils offering a combination of textures, layers, and materials—including concrete, wood, metal, paper, and video installation. Combining this with personal archival material, the show crafts a powerful narrative that connects deeply with visitors.

Strata is on view at MUCA through November 30, 2025, and is an unmissable event for any lover of contemporary urban art.