Title: Sacred Doors (two of a set)
Artist: Rev. Jorge Angel Sardiñas (Cuban, Havana 1950–2004 Miami)
Date: ca. 2000
Medium: Oil paint on oak wooden door panels
Dimensions: 80 inches × 36 inches
Classification: Woodwork-Furniture, Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Dr. James Conley, 2016
Collection: St. Thomas University
Location: Favalora Museum / Permanent Collection
Two painted wooden doors by artist Reverend Father Jorge A. Sardiñas were created in 2000. Additionally, he created an unnumbered set of doors in the years leading up to his passing. Fr. Sardiñas was a prolific, very talented contemporary artist. He was also a beloved priest and faculty member of St. Thomas University. A significant number of his works of art are part of the St. Thomas University Art Collection.
One of the monumental doors was inspired by the biblical story of God’s Seventh-day creation. The Book of Genesis, Chapter 1, verse 5 reads, “God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” Evening came, and morning followed—the first day.” (Bible, USCCB). Father Sardiñas represented the creation of night and day by painting a half-moon on the left and full sun shining on the sky.
The second door is an inspiration to devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sacratissimum Cor Iesu in Latin). The painting represents God’s love revealed in the pierced heart of His Son. The painting shows a sword across a bleeding heart. It is the symbol of a love that conquers sin and transcends death, the symbol of the One who loved us to the end (Today’s Catholic, 2012).
Father Jorge Angel Sardinas was born on October 2, 1950, in Havana, Cuba, and arrived in South Florida at the age of ten. During his ninth-grade year, he entered St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. Followed by a Master’s in Divinity from St. Vincent de Paul Major Seminary in Boynton Beach, and a Master’s in Theology from St. Vincent de Paul Seminary.
He became an ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Miami on May 14, 1977, and later in 1992, obtained a Fine Arts degree from the University of Florida. As a professor of St. Thomas University, he designed all the artwork currently in the Chapel of St. Anthony at St. Thomas University.
Fr. Sardiñas was recognized by St. Thomas University, which named its university gallery the Rev. Jorge A. Sardiñas Gallery. A gallery that holds art exhibitions three times a year, featuring local and international artists.
To read more about Fr. Sardiñas click here: https://www.miamiarch.org/CatholicDiocese.php?op=BCG_151149938736