Painted pine with 22K gold leaf, 2024
The sculptural form of Temple Montefiore is an architectural tribute to both traditional and contemporary temple design. Cardinale constructs a facade that's adorned with intricate arches and windows, suggesting the grandeur of a sacred space. The central dome, rising above the tower with a graceful, curving form, is highlighted with rich applications of 22K gold leaf, catching the light and exuding a sense of divine radiance. The gold leaf is delicately applied, evoking the symbolic importance of light and the transcendent, elevating the humble materials of pine to something sacred and otherworldly.
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: Las Vegas, New Mexico, 1884
• 16.25" (41.28cm) height
• 8.75" (22.22cm) width
• 13.5" (34.29cm) depth
• Pedestal 12"x 12.5"x 15" (can be sold without pedestal)
• One of a kind