Changes for Dunedin Cathedral
St Joseph’s Cathedral, Dunedin, attracted a full congregation to its much heralded 10.30am Solemn Mass, on November 19, which witnessed...
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The Studio of Saint Philomena
Award-Winning Specialists in the Creation and Restoration of Sacred Art
Welcome to the Studio of St Philomena
We are thrilled to have you visit our website and discover the beauty and passion that drives our work.
We are dedicated to bringing beauty and meaning into the world through the arts. We are honored to have the opportunity to share some of our work with you and showcase how we have partnered with parishes across New Zealand and Australia over the past 12 years.
Our mission is to inspire communities to engage with the past and the future by creating tangible expressions of beauty in the arts. We understand that a church building can be beautiful, but we specialise in taking ordinary spaces and transforming them into breathtaking works of art that elevate and inspire.
Like the apostles on the road to Emmaus, we are committed to accompanying the spiritual growth of the communities we work with. Our team has journeyed with bishops, parishes, priests, parish councils, and people in key leadership roles to take a comprehensive look at the implications of a church building and the community that it serves. Through this journey, we have discovered that art is a key to unlocking hearts and the thirst for truth.
As Pope Benedict once said - "beauty wounds". We believe that art has the power to bring healing and restoration to individuals and communities. We encourage you to throw open your doors to Christ, as St. John Paul II once said, and incorporate the arts into your spiritual journey.
Thank you for visiting the Studio of Saint Philomena, and we look forward to the opportunity to partner with you in creating something beautiful and meaningful together.
Damien Walker
Founder & Artist
Are you interested in working with us or purchasing our art?
Reach out using our form below or check us out on Instagram.
About
restoration
We specialise in the restoration of paintings, statues and heritage items in plaster, wood, and marble.
statues
We are able to repair and create a wide range of statues in plaster, stone aggregate, and epoxy.
gilding
We work in the finest 24-carat gold to gold leaf statues, paintings, and both the interior and exterior of buildings.
Painting
We are able to paint original artworks in a variety of styles - both religious and secular.
Consulting
We are able to consult and advise on colour and interior designs for churches and sacred spaces.
Gallery
Ko Hāta Maria,
te Matua Wahine o te Atua
To celebrate the rededication on New Zealand to Our Lady of the Assumption, the country's Bishops commissioned The Studio of Saint Philomena to create a new piece of art.
They wanted a depiction of Mary that connects her to Aotearoa.
The Studio's goal was to create a vision of Madonna and Child with an emphasis on kotahitanga (unity). We collaborated with Anthony Te Keepa to grow our knowledge of Te Ao Māori and to ensure we were connecting with authentic voices to help steer the project.
The artwork aims to respect our different cultures and backgrounds while capturing details which are unique to our country and Catholic identity. It asks us to celebrate the things we share in our community and to learn more about our different worlds.
The painting depicts Mary as a symbol of unity in her universal motherhood, uniting Heaven and Earth in her son, Jesus, the son of God. She reflects the unity of the Church, which reaches to the ends of the Earth, stretching not only across the oceans but across the centuries as well.
The work has a distinctly New Zealand depiction of Mary, emphasising also the unity of the tangata whenua with all the other people who have come to live alongside them in the partnership of bi-culturalism, called to live the same faith and baptism, each in their unique way.
Ko Hāta Maria, te Matua Wahine o te Atua (Holy Mary, Mother of God) was unveiled in Wellington on Sunday 15 August. The artwork is now touring New Zealand as part of Te Hīkoi Wairua mo Te Ara a Maria.
Watch The Explanation to the Artwork Below
Photos from the installation at St Mary of The Angels, Wellington (NZ)
Ko Hāta Maria
Instagram
Contact Contact
CONTACT US
Discuss your needs with our award-winning founder, Damien Walker.
The Studio of St Philomena can help you with restoration, statues, gilding and painting in New Zealand and Australia.
We have ready-made statues for order and can also offer bespoke designs to commemorate a special occasion.h rest
Completing a renovation? Make it easier for yourself and consult Damien to help you visualise and optimise art for your space.
Either way, reach out to Damien and he will be happy to discuss further either by video call or in-person.
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