Restoration Projects
“The scale, beauty and intricate detail is best seen in person
”
– George Giannis
With a career in interior decorating, restoration and fine arts spanning more than 30 year these projects embody the diversity and technical capability of one of Melbourne’s most sought after Artisan Craftsmen. We welcome you to visit these select publicly accessible projects to witness the true extent of the works or make an appointment for a studio consultation.
St Mary’s Star of the Sea
33 Howard Street, WEST MELBOURNE
Scope of Work
Historical research and documentation, coordination and mentoring of specialist trades, to restore the complete interior of one of Melbourne’s most remarkable Churches. Carried out over four years, whilst the church continued to hold mass throughout, this project entailed:
meticulous removal of physical pieces from the church, transport and storage
delicate excavation and conservation removing previous restoration attempts layer by layer
sourcing historically accurate materials, mediums and methodology
restoration of all historical stained glass
restoration of all furnishings and timber joinery including floors, ceiling, pews and religious ornaments
reconfiguration of floor plan, reposition of baptismal font and restoration of Swedish granite and marble columns
repainting of the complete interior including intricate stencilling throughout
restoration of the Principle Altar, 17m x 8m and four adjoining marble Altars, balustrades and Sanctuary
restoration of painted murals of Arch Angel Michael and Gabriel (approx. 5m x 4m), restoration of the 14 Stations of the Cross, restoration of the Rubens 19th Century copy of the crucifixion and the 18th Century Spanish work “ The Mocking Of Christ”.
execution of works which were intended but were never completed in the original decorative scheme in the 1920’s including:
Painting Mural “Of Christ Pantocrator”
22 Trumpeting Angels in the ceiling niches throughout the church…
Materials and Mediums
GLASS | MARBLE | GRANITE | TIMBER | GOLD | CANVAS | PLASTER | PAINT | POLYCARBON STENCIL |
Following some 30 years in the restoration industry, it was the ultimate project. An opportunity to combine all the skills I acquired to co-ordinate and mentor many trades and highly skilled craftsmen.
In the late 1970’s, the master craftsmen (French Polisher) that taught me the skills of fine timber finishing, invited me to come and see what he thought was one of the great joinery masterpieces to an interior; the ceiling at St Mary’s West Melbourne. Who would have thought some 30 years later I would be given the task and privilege to restore the complete interior of the church. The outcome for the client and myself was a huge success.
The restored Church Interior
Our Lady of the Roses
53 Ebden Street, KYNETON
Scope of Work
Historical research, documentation restoration of the Stations of the Cross following a water damage to the church interior. After a15 year wait for another firm to attempt the restoration, boxes of rubble were retrieved and pain staking works commenced:
meticulous removal, transport and storage of physical pieces from the previous firm
delicate excavation and conservation removing previous restoration attempt layer by layer
sourcing historically accurate materials, mediums and methods
piecing together the plaster elements and creating new pieces for those damaged beyond repair
repainting of the complete piece to its original state
reinstate the piece to its original position within the church
Materials and Mediums
PLASTER | OIL PAINT
The out come was extremely satisfying, a great career achievement. Given time the right frame of mind, one can achieve great things.
It was a difficult restoration the client and the parish were extremely grateful. I went on and restored the remaining 13 Stations of the cross on site and many other decorative and architectural features throughout the church.
The completed works
Our Lady the Immaculate Conception
33 Howard Street, WEST MELBOURNE
Scope of Work
Positioned high on the façade of St Mary’s West Melb this important statue was in a very sad state of condition. Works carried out were:
meticulous removal and transport of the life size statue using a crane
delicate cleaning of the 100+ years of external weathering
sourcing historically accurate materials, mediums and methods
piecing together the marble elements and creating new pieces for those damaged beyond repair
restoration of the external wall niche
reinstate the piece to its original position on the church facade
Materials and Mediums
MARBLE | OIL PAINT | GOLD
Restoration of this important statue were cause for great celebration amongst both the parishioners and restoration team
Delicate removal of the life size statue
The Crucifixion (1670)
St Francis Catholic Church , Cnr Lonsdale & Elizabeth Streets, MELBOURNE
Scope of Work
This acclaimed piece ‘The Crucifixion’ is dated 1670 and is by Spanish Artist Juan DeLos Reolos. Restoration of the painting and the massive frame made by the famous Victorian maker John Thallon standing over 5 meters in height included:
meticulous removal of the painting and frame by professional rock climbers
restoration of the oil painting
reguilding of the Thallon frame
reinstate the piece to its original position
Materials and Mediums
OIL PAINT | GOLD
The working relationship with St Francis lasted many years, a great number of art works and statuary were competed. Saving this piece in particular was of very significant historical importance
Physical scale of the works
The Holy Family (1635)
The Johnson Collection. 192 Wellington Street, EAST MELBOURNE
Scope of Work
This art work along with the entire Johnston collection was given to the Victorian Government. It had been looked at by conservators in South Australia and was dismissed as just another religious art work. The canvas approximately 1.5 x 1m was heavily crazed, to the point where the paint on the canvas was barely holding on. Following some extensive research, a process was commenced including:
meticulous softening of the paint- surface with a specialised balsam over 12 months
removal of aged varnish
restoration of the oil painting
reinstate the piece to its original position
Materials and Mediums
OIL PAINT | CANVAS
This piece is dated 1635 and signed by the world famous artist and architect Pietro Berrettini Da Cortona. Some years later a delegation came from Italy to identify and authenticate the piece. It now hangs proudly in the large sitting room at The Johnston Collection in East Melbourne for patrons to enjoy.
The artists signature identifying the origins of the work
The Adoration of the Magi
St Johns 7025/29 St Johns Circuit, RICHMOND TAS
Scope of Work
This artwork and another important piece “The Resurrection” by renown artist Mather Brown arrived in Australia in the early 1800’s. Having fallen into very significant disrepair the scope was:
repair of the numerous tears in the canvas
removal of darkened varnish
restoration of the oil painting
reinstate the piece to its original position
Materials and Mediums
OIL PAINT | CANVAS
Mather Brown is considered an important painter capturing numerous political and historical figures. The preservation of these pieces is a significant achievement important to both the Church and the state of Tasmania.
The restored works
