No. 23 – Expina – The work in its black frame with a neon yellow inner edge, the fan growing out of a spine at the left edge

No. 23 – Expina – A grazing view across the surface, rows of pointed shells converging on the dark centre

No. 23 – Expina – Close-up of the transition, the shells glowing neon yellow on the left and standing black on the right

No. 23 – Expina – Detail of the black side, the edges of the shells drawn upwards as thin yellow lines

No. 23 – Expina – A close view of the centre line, yellow tips on one side and black arcs on the other

No. 23 – Expina – The work lying flat on the floor, the yellow tips rising towards the centre

No. 23 – Expina – The black side seen close up, yellow edges tracing every single shell

No. 23 – Expina – Macro shot of the centre, the yellow shells standing up like half-opened petals

No. 23 – Expina – The framed work on a dark green wall above a yellow-green sofa

No. 23 – Expina Paper Relief by Larisa Semke

The name is made of externus (alien) and spina (spine).

Out of a dark centre unfolds a dense structure of pointed shell elements that continuously change their size and their height.

Their black surfaces hide a second, intense layer of colour, the colour of a warning: the undersides glow in neon yellow and come forward more or less strongly depending on the angle of view. The frame takes part in this play of colour too.

Despite the strict geometry the form appears organic: a lamellar spine juts out at the centre, and all around it half-opened petals unfold — a creature with an almost aggressive, alien exterior.

Completed:: August 2026
Size:: 101 × 51 × 12 cm
Edition:: Unique artwork, handcrafted
Material:: Canson Graduate black drawing paper 120 g/m²; MarpaJansen coloured drawing paper, fluorescent bright yellow 140 g/m²
Substrate:: Modulor display and presentation board, black, 2200 g/m²
Frame:: wood lacquered in black and neon yellow
Parts:: 342 shell elements and one centre piece