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This mural by Vhils presents a raw and striking portrait of Sven Marquardt, the iconic photographer and long-time doorman of Berlin’s legendary Berghain club. Carved directly into the facade of a residential building in Schöneberg, the work exemplifies Vhils’ signature technique of subtractive creation - removing layers of plaster to reveal the underlying brick structure.

Rather than applying paint, Vhils works by destruction: chiseling, drilling, and etching into the wall. The resulting image emerges through contrasts between the whitewashed surface and the exposed material beneath. This process gives the portrait a weathered, almost archaeological quality, embedding the subject into the architecture itself rather than placing it on top.

Created as part of the “Go Forth” campaign, the mural reflects a broader theme of highlighting contemporary urban pioneers. Marquardt, known for his distinctive appearance and influence within Berlin’s cultural scene, becomes both subject and symbol - representing individuality, resilience, and the city’s underground identity.

By turning the building facade into both medium and message, the piece transcends traditional mural painting and becomes part of the city’s fabric, merging portraiture with the history embedded in the wall itself.

Construction process video (YouTube)

Subtractive Technique

Artworks