Bishop Michael blessing the Statues.
Restoration of Villa Maria College Statues by The Studio of Saint Philomena
In 2023, The Studio of Saint Philomena was commissioned by Villa Maria Catholic School to restore the statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette from the College’s memorial shrine. Originally crafted in 1950, these large religious statues had suffered significant wear over time. Using the original moulds that created the statues nearly 75 years ago, we undertook the monumental task of bringing them back to their former beauty. The restoration included a full reconstruction of St. Bernadette’s face and arm that disappeared after the paint was removed so, a new face was created using the original 120-year-old Mattei Brothers moulds, as well as crafting a new hand for Our Lady of Lourdes.
Saint Bernadette before restoration.. After the old restoration were removed! New face and arm implant created
The Grotto at Villa Maria College was constructed in 1950 by Sr. Marie Rita McLean and her brother Keith as a tribute to their parents, Mary and Finlay McLean, after their mother’s tragic death in the 1947 Ballantyne’s fire. Since then, the Grotto has served as a place of prayer and reflection for Villa Maria students and the broader community, with the statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette standing at its heart. For decades, the Grotto has symbolized hope from tragedy as a sign of faith for the school.
Before restoration During the nightmare of removing paint After the layers were removed
Our goal was to honor the original craftsmanship and history of these Catholic statues, as well as the artistry of the Italian Mattei Brothers, while revitalizing them. After over 100 hours of sanding and sculpting, we applied traditional painting techniques and finished the statues with 24k gold leaf. These restored statues will continue to inspire and bring hope to the Villa Maria College community for generations to come.
Painting on the resurfacing coating Painting in the eyes of Our Lady Saint Bernadette colours being applied
This week, the restored statues were unveiled during a special ceremony and blessing at Villa Maria College. The event was attended by Ngā Whaea Atawhai, the Sisters of Mercy, Principal Deborah Brosnahan, staff, students, and invited guests. Bishop Michael Gielen, the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, blessed the statues, highlighting their legacy as symbols of hope and Marian devotion for the school and its community.
Damien Explaining the Artwork to the Sisters of Mercy, Students, and Staff, with Bishop Michael (left) and Principal Deborah Brosnahan (right)
For More photos from the Day here Villa Connect - Friday 27 September, 2024, by Villa Maria College • Te Whare O Meri https://hail.to/villa-maria-college/publication/stQI4aC/article/vDtDHEJ https://hail.to/villa-maria-college/publication/stQI4aC/article/vDtDHEJ