Mamoris, Graciela Cassel’s collection of watercolors, takes a profound look at the occurrence and symbolism of waves. This series explores the ever-changing tides, mirroring the complexities of human psychology through the sea’s connection to celestial bodies. With her use of mixed media, Cassel imbues her work with a quiet sense of tranquility, layering the textures of watercolor, glass beads, and silver leaf to capture the meditative patterns of the ocean’s surface.

A thorough study of wave archetypes unfolds across the series, tracing the distinct character of a swelling surge against an undercurrent, a gentle ripple set beside plunging breakers, and the shifting effects of the sun in contrast with the moon. Each work echoes the ebb and flow of mood and emotion. Cassel employs a variety of masterful techniques to render these phenomena in abstraction, generating both harmony and tension through her subtle manipulation of materials.

These watercolors transcend observation of the sea, transforming into psychological metaphors— records of change, resilience, and transformation. Cassel invites viewers into a meditative encounter with nature’s rhythms, offering moments of stillness, flow, and turbulence that mirror the complexities of our inner lives. Through this dialogue between sea and self, the work becomes both a sanctuary and a catalyst, urging reflection on our interconnectedness with the natural world.

Hayley Ferber