Jane Sauer Gallery is proud to present “Architecture of Spirit,” a solo exhibition by Santa Fe artist Roberto Cardinale presenting Cardinale’s signature churches, missions, and synagogues. Cardinale’s houses of worship proclaim his love of ecclesiastical structures and admiration for the communities that built them. The soft, organic forms and layers of color and markings refer to spiritual beliefs and what they manifest over time.

When asked what prompted this love, Cardinale claims “Because throughout the ages, these buildings arise out of beliefs. They are not built to serve the needs of the body but rather the needs of the spirit of humanity. I am so moved by the spirit of the structure like the Santurario de Chimayo, that I am driven to make it much like the need Monet expressed in trying to capture the light patterns falling over the facade of the Cathedral of Roen by doing some 25 paintings of it.” Indeed Cardinale has repeatedly crafted many of the religious structures that dot the landscape of New Mexico. He also has traveled to many parts of the world in his quest for spiritual architecture. He has studied religious buildings in China, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Italy, Spain, France, England and the Scandinavian countries. His library contains over 150 books on religious architecture and now the addition of Google images. Since he has many requests for commissions, which cannot always be visited, all these resources are utilized by Cardinale. To each he brings a fresh view whether a repeated image, or a site he has never personally experienced.

Cardinale begins with images of a site that inspires him, followed by a physical visit if possible. He makes sketches, takes photos, and buys a book or uses pamphlets. Then he goes directly to the wood, working intuitively, setting the scale by a few marks on the pine. He doesn’t work from plans, patterns or measurements. The finished work is not about mathematical formulas or carefully applied finishes, but contains the essence of a community coming together to create a meaningful and lasting representation of a jointly held belief system. Cardinale is not advocating for any one religious belief. His interest is in the beauty of imagery, the music, the graceful and poetic forms juxtaposed to create a moving and passionate experience. “I am trying to capture the spirit or feeling of the place and all of the trials of its age and history.”

"MISSION SAN GERONIMO DE TAOS"
Taos, New Mexico
Painted pine
15" x 12 3/8" x 14"

The humble miniature buildings convey how rich and complex such apparent simplicity can be. By sawing and carving rough hewn white and sugar pine, attaching with tite-bond glue, Cardinale creates a level of intensity and purity that is irresistible. Cardinale departed from using nails and trim screws in favor of double and triple joins. The colors consist of 3 to 4 carefully selected earth tones, He works using one brush, mixing all of the colors in layers on the surface itself. “When I paint, I’m not a craftsman, I am an abstract expressionist. I’m heavily influenced by the colors and layering of Richard Diebenkorn  and Robert Motherwell. Sometimes a surface will have a layer of stain, then a layer of hand rubbed wax, topped with 2 to 3 more colors.” When all the paint is dry, Cardinale scrapes away much of the excess exposing the stain and underneath layers of paint. Next are added drawings and rubbings with graphite. Last, more is removed and a final coat of graphite is rubbed deeply into the surface.

With each new body of work, Cardinale explores deeper into his personal experiences and forms a greater bond with his viewers, be they new to his work or repeated admirers. A new magic bursts forth with every building adding to the continuously expanding visual language.

Roberto Cardinale will speak about “Architecture of Spirit” and “the accidental path of an artist” on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 2 pm.

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