Artist Damien Walker
The Studio of Saint Philomena
From Bishop Chad W. Zielinski
When I arrived in the diocese in 2022, during my installation homily, I invited all the faithful of this diocese to join me in “Hearing God, Handing Him Your Heart, and Having Hope.” Mary herself is a beacon of Hope, leading us to her Son, Jesus, in the Eucharist.
One of my first tasks as your new shepherd was to drive to all four corners of this rural diocese, visiting you in your parishes and Catholic schools. I could not help but notice the loveliness of the thousands of acres of prairie land. From this experience, a desire flowed in me to rededicate the Diocese of New Ulm to Mary under the title Our Lady of the Prairie.
Therefore, early last year, I commissioned Damien Walker, founder and director of The Studio of Saint Philomena in New Zealand, to paint a life-size image of Our Lady of the Prairie. When an iconographer paints an icon, there’s a tradition that goes with it. What I saw in Damien’s work is that he understands the theology behind colors, proportions, and the way that Jesus holds his hands – it’s not just a piece of art. The whole theology behind architecture and art is that you’re entering into an encounter with Christ that is sacred.
The image of Our Lady of the Prairie is meant to represent all the faithful in the Diocese of New Ulm - a symbol of Hope, Evangelization, and Mother to all of God’s people.
As one gazes at the beautiful image of Our Lady of the Prairie, there is a profound depth. In the weeks, months, and years to come, we will discover something new each time we gaze upon her, which is filled with inexhaustible meaning. This depth invites us to delve deeper into our faith and the role of Mary in our salvation history, sparking our curiosity and eagerness to explore the profound layers of this image.
It is my hope that this artwork of Our Lady of the Prairie will serve as a powerful visual catechesis, inspiring us with an intimate relationship we have between Christ and His Church and Mary’s pivotal role as our advocate and intercessor.
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Orders for prints and canvases of Our Lady of the Prairie are being taken online at: https://www.dnu.org/order-form-our-lady-of-the-prairie. The diocese will take orders until the end of July, and these prints will be produced in August and ready for pick-up by the end of September. Individuals, parishes, and schools may order copies of Our Lady of the Prairie. We are requesting that orders be picked up from their local AFC to avoid shipping costs. Questions? Call Christy at 507-233-5317 or email cbaker@dnu.org.
About the Artist Damien Walker
Damien Walker, the artist and founder of The Studio of Saint Philomena in New Zealand painted Our Lady of the Prairie. His painting technique is reminiscent to iconography in that he prayed and fasted as he worked. Similar to Michaelangelo and other Italian Renaissance masters, Damien used thin layers called glazes, to develop the image.
Before beginning the artwork, he visited the Diocese of New Ulm in 2024 to learn about the diocese and the area’s rich history. “I visited a lot of the sites of the big historic battles. It gave me a beautiful perspective on the area. It’s given me the opportunity to understand the essence of what Our Lady should be for your culture.”
The painting reflects both the Native American and Western European heritage of the Diocese of New Ulm. “There’s a lot of hope with this image,” Walker said about Our Lady of the Prairie. “There’s a lot of strength because she’s very strong, but there’s a gentleness, too.”
Learn more about Damien Walker’s work at www.thestudioofsaintphilomena.com.