Welcome to the
Studio of Saint 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.
WHAT WE DO
Are you interested in working with us or purchasing our art?
Reach out using our form below or check us out on Instagram.
Gallery
NEWS FROM THE STUDIO
Ko Hāta Maria,
te Matua Wahine o te Atu
New Zealand’s National Marian Image
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 of the Artwork Below
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.
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.
TESTIMONIAL
Fr. Michael / Parish Priest / Holy Family Parish / Christchurch
Damien Walker has done exceptional work for our parish, refurbishing two principal statues of Mary and sourcing and restoring a beautiful statue of St. Joseph. His craftsmanship reflects a true vision of faith, and he delivered everything on time and with great professionalism. He was easy to work with, and I wholeheartedly recommend him based on the outstanding work he did for us. Just as an example.
Fr. Ladu Yanga / Parish Priest / Brisbane
I was grateful to have found Damien to facilitate the creation of the statue of St Rita, our patron saint, as well as the new crucifix for above our altar
Being that Damien is located in New Zealand, it meant that we were able to have these items made and shipped to us in a timely and cost-effective way.
Rev Fr. Stephen Berecz / Parish Priest / St John the Baptist Parish / Parnell
My thanks to Damien Walker and his team at St Philomena’s. Their professional services have supplied an outstanding statue of St John the Baptist for the Parish of Parnell, Auckland. It is truly a work of art and devotion. The subtle colouring and simple gestures produce for the observer a profound feeling that John the Baptist is calling us to “Prepare the Way of the Lord!’ Again, on behalf of the parishioners and myself, our sincere thanks.