Historical information

These photographs, taken by The Advocate in 1991, show internationally recognised British artist David Davies restoring statues at Our Lady's Catholic Church, Monash Street, Sunshine.

At the time, Davies was 33 years old and held a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) and a Master of Arts from Sunderland Polytechnic, Sunderland, England, now known as the University of Sunderland.

The church’s statues, originally installed in 1941, were beginning to show signs of age and deterioration. Most required routine conservation work, including cleaning, repainting and glazing. However, the statue of St Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, required more extensive restoration, including the reconstruction and replacement of several missing fingers on both hands.

Physical description

Collection of digitally scanned negatives

Inscriptions & markings

7395.01 - Our Ladys Catholic Church Monash Street Sunshine Statues Restoration 1991 Photographs (Advocate 214.2).JPG
David Davies

7395.02 - Our Ladys Catholic Church Monash Street Sunshine Statues Restoration 1991 Photographs (Advocate 214.2).JPG
David Davies

7395.03 - Our Ladys Catholic Church Monash Street Sunshine Statues Restoration 1991 Photographs (Advocate 214.2).JPG
David Davies

7395.04 - Our Ladys Catholic Church Monash Street Sunshine Statues Restoration 1991 Photographs (Advocate 214.2).JPG
David Davies

7395.05 - Our Ladys Catholic Church Monash Street Sunshine Statues Restoration 1991 Photographs (Advocate 214.2).JPG
David Davies