Nina Surel’s use of chamote, a granular grog obtained from the crushing of clay fired at high temperatures, is prominent in her work. This material infuses her pieces with a sense of danger and resilience, embodying a steadfast presence amidst the ebb and flow of time. Her work pays homage to Afro-Caribbean, Latin, and Mediterranean influences, creating a surrealistic medley of botanical, mythical beings, and bodily forms that reflect a deep connection with the environment and the mysteries of nature.

In addition to the mural, Greta Chamotta/Great Love features a collection of ceramic tablets, sculptures, and vessels. Her hand-built coiled vessels and mosaic reliefs chronicle the myriad experiences of womanhood, from the joys of childbirth to the pains of loss, emphasizing the resilient interconnectedness of nature and our bodies. Surel’s works, which include motifs such as ovaries, native Florida beautyberries, and cells, explore themes of slow sexuality, transformation, and the beauty of imperfection. The Attalea Palm tree seed, exaggerated into shapes resembling breasts, serves as a potent symbol of fertility and transformation in Surel’s narrative. Just as the conch shell amplifies sound, Surel’s art amplifies the voices and stories of women, connecting them across time and space through her intricate and deeply symbolic visual language. The female figures in Nina Surel’s work are often fragmented and remixed with body parts seamlessly combined with plants and animals, symbolizing their interconnectedness and representing alter egos, mothers and daughters, sisters, or different versions of the same person through time.

Surel’s use of collage creates a visual tapestry that blends historical, mythological, and natural elements. She is inspired from a wide range of sources, including the supreme goddess Atabey of the Taínos, the caracara bird, and native plants. Surel finds the symbolic connection between Gradiva, ‘the [Pompeiian] woman who walks,’ and Gravida, the state of pregnancy, to delve into themes of creation, journey, and the evolution of the female form. Within the hard matter of grog and earth, shells whisper stories of resilience and transformation, akin to the German name ‘Greta,’ echoing pearls hidden in the depths. ‘Chamotta,’ like a tough cookie, embodies strength and beauty, melding earthen material with symbolism, a testament to enduring nature.

Her works serve as a testament to the enduring power of myths and the indomitable spirit of women. Nina Surel’s visual vocabulary is deeply personal and evocative, inviting viewers to contemplate the intricate narratives of identity, memory, and the feminine experience.