Black Murex Trance
Original Art by Carmen Delprat
Illustration on Paper, 54cm x 73cm, 2022
Original Artwork on quality University Mixed Media Paper (300gsm), illustrated with Albretch Durer coloured pencils
Framed with 3cm white frame and 7cm white mount board
 
Black Murex Trance captures that quiet moment just before a thought fully forms—where stillness meets movement and the unknown reveals itself in silent contemplation.
The moody, monochromatic palette of soft greys evokes neutrality, introspection and calm detachment, creating a space where thoughts unfold like breath. The striking black murex shell rises from the girl’s crown, its dark tips contrasting against delicate, twisting lines that flow like a dream in motion.
 
The shell becomes more than just a form; it symbolises identity, protection and the layers of thought we carry. Fluid, spaghetti-like lines curl and dance, reflecting drifting consciousness or thoughts carried on the wind—chaotic yet perfectly placed.
 
A faint concentric circle glows above, suggesting a quiet centre, harmony and the cycles of becoming. Her upward, searching gaze hints at listening, tuning into something beyond words. The girl and shell merge, symbolising the inseparability of thought, being and imagination.
 
Black Murex Trance hums with soft complexity. It invites you to slow down, look closer, and reflect on the space between knowing and becoming.