Voices of the Soul – David Narov

Dr. David Narov’s art is abstract, breaking free from the traditional approach to painting that focuses on representing real objects. Narov chooses to explore lines, stains, and the interaction of surface and color.

Rather than offering a recognizable, realistic image, his art reflects an inner world. It invites viewers not to settle for what their eyes perceive but to look deeper, into the soul, to uncover the hidden meanings within. This is an art form that seeks to touch the spiritual, the irrational, and the mystical, where these elements respect and nourish each other..

Narov, born in Tel Aviv, spent most of his adult life in New York, where he earned a doctorate with honors from the prestigious Columbia University alongside his significant artistic practice. He studied under distinguished teachers like Maxim Bugzester, a close associate of Georges Braque and Pierre Bonnard. Narov also maintained close artistic ties with notable figures, such as René Shapshak and Roset Davis, the wife of renowned artist Stuart Davis, who provided him with essential guidance and support.

His work as a respected psychologist enriched his art, creating a deep connection between the human soul, the subconscious, and their expression through colors and compositions on the canvas. According to Narov, “Something happens to me when I start working with color. I feel like I’m entering unknown places, carried away and free, much like listening to music. I immerse myself in the world of color, transcending reality and myself. There, anything is possible. Even if I make a mistake in color or composition, I continue… and somehow the piece corrects itself. It’s an ecstatic experience”.

The artworks displayed in this exhibition echo the influences of Fauvism, Pointillism, Abstract, and Expressionism. Narov engages with these traditions while carving out his own unique space, marked by an uncompromising personal style. His works are the product of subconscious, impulsive thinking, emerging as if by themselves into the world. The subconscious guides the artist in choosing colors, shaping forms, arranging compositions, and creating textures, with each color finding its place within the painting’s space.

Dr. Narov, both psychologist and artist, unveils capsule-like worlds through free association, pouring thoughts, ideas, and mental images into colors that swirl on the canvas. In his art, Narov the artist searches the depths of color, much like Narov the psychologist searches the depths of the soul, seeking paths to healing. Here, aesthetics and therapy go hand in hand, creating a captivating and restorative performance.

These are the voices of the soul, presented in an enigmatic display that holds a secret—a journey from the literal to personal interpretation and a profound connection

Dr. Galia Duchin Arieli

Globl Art Gallery

Merkaz Baaley Melacha 13

Tel Aviv