(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Novado Gallery presents "Omens: Narratives Between Mythology & Reality," a solo exhibition of new paintings by Daniel Morowitz from October 4 through November 1, 2025. It opens at Novado Gallery on Saturday, October 4, 2025, with a reception from 6:00pm–9:00pm.
In "Omens," Morowitz delves into the complex interplay of queer identity, tradition, mythology, metaphor, and the powerful language of painting. His work boldly addresses the precarious visibility of queer culture in our contemporary moment, while simultaneously elevating it to the timeless realm of myth. Drawing inspiration from surrealism, symbolism, and abstraction, Morowitz masterfully uses intense color to craft images that both allure and challenge the viewer's perception.
Morowitz states, "Painting has a responsibility to its own history, but it also functions as a tool to combat the dangers that queerness is facing." He adeptly utilizes art-historical references, bridging contemporary queer culture with traditional symbolism. Specifically for this exhibition, Morowitz employs flowers and a fig as metaphors, symbolizing both delicacy and danger.
Historically in traditional Dutch still-life painting, flowers were used for making a political statement, with certain bouquets signifying wealth and status as well as political reach. Morowitz employs burning flowers to reference the biblical story of God speaking to Moses through the burning bush, thus symbolically using florals to engage queer sensibilities and impart both warning and hope. Just as ancient civilizations interpreted omens in natural phenomena, queer communities today navigate shifting cultural landscapes, marked by progress and backlash, visibility and erasure.
Daniel Morowitz (b. 1989) is a painter based in Jersey City, NJ. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and a Master's Degree from Montclair State University. His extensive exhibition history includes group shows at prominent galleries such as Steven Zevitas, Anna Zorina, Curious Matter, and Field Projects, as well as solo exhibitions at Shelter Gallery in NYC and Monti 8 in Italy, as well as inclusion in Spring/Break and NADA art fairs. His work has been featured in Hyperallergic, Two Coats of Paint, New American Paintings, VICE, and Artnation on the Smithsonian Channel.
Novado Gallery is located at 110 Morgan Street in downtown Jersey City, New Jersey, and is dedicated to presenting contemporary art exhibitions that foster dialogue and connect communities. Hours: Tuesday-*Friday 11:00am-7:00pm, Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm, and by appointment. *First Friday of the month open 11:00am-5:00pm.
The gallery opened its doors in December 2016. It carries an inventory of artworks on paper & on canvas, and provides a range of art services for corporate and private clients throughout the east coast including art installation, art commissions for specific projects, and museum-quality custom framing. At Novado Gallery, their carefully curated programming presents works that encourage dialogue, celebrate the artist’s vision, and challenge conventions. From established to emerging talent, each exhibition in the gallery has been created to resonate with intellectual and emotional depth.
Novado Gallery exhibitions also feature insightful events. Whether it's an artist's talk, a panel discussion, or a gallery tour, their aim is to bridge the gap between art and its audience, providing a platform for meaningful interaction.
Artist Daniel Morowitz with his painting, "Light Tether", 2025, a/c. Photo of the artist by Eleazar Sanchez.
