Silke Lapina is a German-Filipino visual artist based in Berlin and Manila.
Remixing mysticism with MTV-era vibrancy, her art is in communion with the ecstasy of saints, the vespers of the monastics, and the rapture of a immaculately-timed needle drop.
Raised with a Filipino-Catholic and Masonic upbringing, Lapina is part of the lineage of the diaspora locating their joint heritage in art. Her work explores the question of what spirituality means in a secularized modern society. As such, she creates contemporary sacred objects, conceiving of spaces where religious symbols converge with pop iconography.
As a multimedia artist, her practice encompasses large-scale photography printed on textiles, gilded canvases, hand-engraved mirrors, ritual performances, transmedia narrative, and immersive and interactive spatial/light installations.
Her entire process serves as a form of extended prayer, drawing upon various meditation techniques and contemplative exercises. This is deeply rooted from her long-standing meditation discipline and numerous stays in monasteries.
While receiving a B.A. in Culture- and Social Anthropology at the University of Vienna and M.A. in Religion and Culture at the Humboldt University Berlin, Lapina also worked internationally as a photographer in music and fashion.
She has had several solo exhibitions in Manila, Berlin, Hamburg, and Vienna. Her commissions include Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Kirche auf der Bundesgartenschau Mannheim, and Adidas Future Studio. Her work has also been exhibited internationally, most notably in the Philippines, Thailand, United States of America, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Mexico and Nigeria.
Solo Exhibitions
2025 Bakit Pa. Edoweird, Manila
2025 JESUS. Gravity Art Space, Manila
2023 Holy Hands Bundesgartenschau, Mannheim
2022 Urban Prayers. Off Space, Berlin
2021 Holy Hands. Ibn Rushd – Goethe Mosque, Berlin
2020 99 HOPES. PremArts, Berlin
2019 ALLES LICHT (OHNE ENDE LIEBE). RAP Store, Vienna
2018 You Are The Light. REM Art Space, Vienna
2016 #SPREADTHELOVE. Hamburg
Commissioned Projects
2024 Kumain Ka Na Papaluin Kita (Metropolitan Museum of Manila)
Artist Book
līlā. Silke Lapina 2014-2018 (2018)
Education
Master Religion and Culture, Humboldt University Berlin
Bachelor Culture- and Socialanthropology, University of Vienna
Video Interviews
Curatorial Walk Through: Bakit Pa – Solo Exhibition Edoweird Gallery (2025)
Love Songs and the Sacred: A Dialogue on Spirituality Edoweird Gallery (2025)
Artist Talk: Transnationalities DAAD Gallery (2024)
Urban Prayers Exhibition by Danny Kötter (2022)
Press
Artist Silke Lapina blurs the lines between scripture and pop music. Zofiya Acosta, Rolling Stone Philippines
Engraving Language and Reconnecting Roots with Artist Silke Lapina. Liz Bautista, Vogue Philippines
Hände als Zeichen der Annäherung. Paula Dengs, Les Nouveaux Riches
Group Exhibitions
2025 (your name here). Modeka / Art Fair Philippines, Manila
2025 Intersections Art Summit Philippines x Thailand. Gravity Art Space, Bangkok
2024 The No Name Show 4.0. Gravity Art Space, Manila
2024 Transnationalities: The Anthropology of Migration, hosted by Green Papaya (Fellow 2024). Artist Talk together with Lizza May David, Silke Lapina and Jasmin Werner moderated by Patrick D. Flores. DAAD Gallery, Berlin
2023 Silke Lapina x Dennis Fechner, Leuven/Belgium
2023 Heartfix. Ph0n0l0gues, Berlin
2022 JESUS. lebefrauu x qvartr Gallery, Hamburg
2021 RESILIENZ. EightRooms Gallery, Berlin
2021 Open Atelier. Napoleon Komplex, Berlin
2019 Daughters of Zelophehad. Ésskizziert x Kitchen Guerilla, Hamburg
2019 You+I=Light, Lightinstallation. ADIDAS Future Studio, Berlin
2018 Nigeria in Dub. Premarts, Berlin
2017 CRO TRU. Circle Culture Gallery, Berlin
2017 éspassiert x oncrete. Stilwerk, Hamburg
2016 Screen Print Show. REM Art Space, Vienna
2016 Screenshots. Grafik Werkschau Halle 622, Zurich
2015 TrackSetters Entertainment Launch. Hamburg
2014 Fuchsbau Exclusive: Koolmilk x Silke Lapina. Loft.23, Hamburg