Francisco Moreno at Dallas Contemporary: Art That Speaks in Symbols

I recently had the chance to visit the Francisco Moreno exhibit at Dallas Contemporary and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. Moreno truly speaks the language of symbols — building his own unique visual statements from classical iconography, mythological references, and a deep well of humor that catches you off guard in the best way.

His work layers the sacred and the absurd in a way that feels genuinely magickal. If you've ever felt like the old symbols — the unicorn, the chalice, the praying figure — still carry real power, Moreno's paintings will feel like a conversation you've been waiting to have.

One piece that stopped me in my tracks: a painting of someone praying for the demons to disappear after mixing a weed gummy with booze. It is simultaneously hilarious and deeply human. That's the thing about Moreno — he uses humor as a portal into something much more tender.

Why This Matters for the Magickal Community

So much of what we do in esoteric practice is work with symbols — on our altars, in our tarot spreads, in our spellwork. Moreno's paintings are a reminder that symbols are alive, that they mutate and carry meaning across centuries, and that irreverence and reverence can coexist beautifully.

Sending you love,
Gem Hotvet