Words from Steve Zwarun

Description

Words from Steve Zwarun about the Madonna and Sacred Heart paintings “The two paintings presented here were rescued from a pile of debris in the basement of the church, destined for the Sydney landfill. It was by chance that Father Khrivoklavy, the pastor at that time, led me through the basement when he and his family were packing for their transfer to Ontario. I noticed some crumpled-up old brown paper on the floor ~ then I saw the canvas packing. Carefully opening the mass, which was covered in mould or mildew, revealed images of the Madonna and Sacred Heart. Realizing the possibilities, and having some experience with oil paintings, I asked Father Khrivoklavy if I could have them. Since they had been discarded, he saw no reason why not, and appeared surprised that I would even want them. There was another badly damaged painting ~ on cardboard and in an elaborately carved frame: perhaps it was ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help’ ~ that was also buried in the trash. It was quite large, and regretfully at that time, I felt it was too large to bother with. Most likely it went to the landfill. It was some time later that I proceeded with the restoration. The canvases smelled from the mould, and were quite brittle. There were also some perforations, tears and creases, from the canvases being crumpled up for such a long time. Once the paintings were laid out flat and dried, there were bonded to a new and stronger canvas backing, then they were stretched on a frame. I started to proceed with the cleaning and restoration, but decided to leave them as they were. (Notice the small and brightened portion of the Madonna’s crown.) The years of candle smoke and incense had left their mark, and that added to the antique appearance of the first painting (Madonna). Similarly, the cracks and tears were also left as they were. The new linen liner (inner frame), which is in fact new, I stained with tea to look aged so that it would match the older lining. The antiqued frame is also new. The second painting (Sacred Heart) was recently cleaned, stretched and framed to match the Madonna painting (framing is expensive!). Since I have an older home with high ceilings, I am able to accommodate these large paintings. I feel that they are remarkable, not only for their appearance, but also for their historical significance. Eventually, when an appropriate location becomes available, I hope to return them to the parish. -Steve Zwarun, October 2011

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Title: Words from Steve Zwarun
Name(s): Steve Zwarun
Description: Words from Steve Zwarun about the Madonna and Sacred Heart paintings “The two paintings presented here were rescued from a pile of debris in the basement of the church, destined for the Sydney landfill. It was by chance that Father Khrivoklavy, the pastor at that time, led me through the basement when he and his family were packing for their transfer to Ontario. I noticed some crumpled-up old brown paper on the floor ~ then I saw the canvas packing. Carefully opening the mass, which was covered in mould or mildew, revealed images of the Madonna and Sacred Heart. Realizing the possibilities, and having some experience with oil paintings, I asked Father Khrivoklavy if I could have them. Since they had been discarded, he saw no reason why not, and appeared surprised that I would even want them. There was another badly damaged painting ~ on cardboard and in an elaborately carved frame: perhaps it was ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help’ ~ that was also buried in the trash. It was quite large, and regretfully at that time, I felt it was too large to bother with. Most likely it went to the landfill. It was some time later that I proceeded with the restoration. The canvases smelled from the mould, and were quite brittle. There were also some perforations, tears and creases, from the canvases being crumpled up for such a long time. Once the paintings were laid out flat and dried, there were bonded to a new and stronger canvas backing, then they were stretched on a frame. I started to proceed with the cleaning and restoration, but decided to leave them as they were. (Notice the small and brightened portion of the Madonna’s crown.) The years of candle smoke and incense had left their mark, and that added to the antique appearance of the first painting (Madonna). Similarly, the cracks and tears were also left as they were. The new linen liner (inner frame), which is in fact new, I stained with tea to look aged so that it would match the older lining. The antiqued frame is also new. The second painting (Sacred Heart) was recently cleaned, stretched and framed to match the Madonna painting (framing is expensive!). Since I have an older home with high ceilings, I am able to accommodate these large paintings. I feel that they are remarkable, not only for their appearance, but also for their historical significance. Eventually, when an appropriate location becomes available, I hope to return them to the parish. -Steve Zwarun, October 2011
Type of Resource: still image
Genre: Words from Steve Zwarun
Date: 2011-10-01T00:00:00Z
Continent: North America
Country: Canada
Province: Nova Scotia
City: Sydney
City Section: West Street