Painted pine, 2023
Cardinale designed this work of art to resemble the grandeur and elegance of the synagogue’s iconic architecture. The painted pine creates a soft, natural aesthetic, allowing the piece to feel both grounded and timeless, much like the synagogue itself, which has long served as a center of Jewish life and culture.
The exterior of the sculpture features a carefully painted facade with geometric patterns and warm wood tones, which mimic the colors of the original synagogue’s interior. Subtle accents of gold paint highlight the ornate windows and archways, evoking the sacredness of the synagogue’s design. The windows of the sculpture are thoughtfully designed to reflect the stained-glass windows of the Eldridge Street Synagogue, painted wood and subtle color washes. The abstract forms of the windows invite light and shadow to play across the surface, symbolizing the way light streams through the real synagogue’s windows, bathing the space in a glow of sacred warmth and serenity.
Cardinale finishes the composition with a drawer on the front of the piece. Upon opening, Cardinale’s wife PJ, of over 50 years, composes a mix-media collage paying homage to the church.
Original Building Location: China Town, NYC, 1887
• 20" (50.8cm) height
• 11.25" (28.57cm) width
• 7.5" (19.05cm) depth
• Pedestal 12"x 12.5"x 11.5" (can be sold without pedestal)
• One of a kind