Silvano Cioci-Faux and North West Murals

Warrington based studio with over 25 years in heritage decorative arts across Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester and the North West.

Silvano Cioci-Faux, founder of North West Murals Ltd

Silvano Cioci-Faux

Founder, North West Murals Ltd

Silvano Cioci-Faux

Silvano Cioci-Faux holds a BFA in Master of Fine Arts, Traditional Techniques and Restoration achieved in Italy. In 1998 he moved to the UK, where after a period of further study and research he founded North West Murals Ltd. The company, due to the quality of our work and demonstrated expertise, has been accredited with some of the most prestigious contracts in the sector, many under close collaboration with English Heritage.

Some of the projects entrusted to Silvano were: the restoration works at the Town Hall and St George’s Hall for Liverpool City Council, paintings restoration during the Heritage Lottery Fund redevelopment of St Marie’s Church in Widnes, the marbling of the new dining area The Great Hall in the Trafford Centre in Manchester and the makeover at Trafford Palazzo (previously Burton Square), the restoration of the 19th century hand painted ceiling at Rankin Hall in Liverpool, the restoration of 18th century hand painted wallpaper in Werneth Hall in Oldham, and numerous conservation and restoration of valuable paintings and frames for private collectors.

For the past 15 years Silvano has also been working closely with the Archdiocese of Liverpool and undertaken various clerical restoration and conservation projects working on paintings, statues, frescos, mosaics, gilding, marbling and a variety of faux paint effects using traditional techniques, including William Simmonds' 1935 St Joseph altarpiece at St Oswald's Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Films: Silvano at work

Parish and heritage partners have published video of Silvano Cioci-Faux restoring paintings, leading sold-out workshops and celebrating completed altarpiece conservation. These are the same projects described in our case studies, filmed on site or in the studio.

St Marie's Church, Widnes (HLF redevelopment)

Silvano was the paintings restorer on the redevelopment team. These photographs come from the public heritage workshops and project blog in March 2014. See the full St Marie's case study.

  • Silvano Cioci-Faux cleaning the Gabriel reredos panel with a cotton swab
    Surface cleaning on a Gabriel panel from the St Marie's altar scheme, in Silvano's workshop during the HLF project.
  • Silvano Cioci-Faux explaining restoration to workshop attendees beside the altar panel
    March 2014 heritage workshop: Silvano uses a tablet while describing the treatment to local residents.
  • Silvano Cioci-Faux preparing a conservation cleaning solution beside the reredos panel
    Mixing a conservation-grade cleaning solution before work on the painted panels.
  • Silvano Cioci-Faux cleaning the altar panel with a head-mounted magnifier while the workshop group watches
    Silvano demonstrates close-up cleaning with a head loupe; sold-out workshop visitors watch from the site office.
  • Silvano Cioci-Faux with workshop attendees standing behind the table in the site office
    Workshop group with Silvano and the reredos panel in the temporary site office, March 2014.
  • Gabriel reredos panel laid flat on the workbench with cotton swabs and cleaning materials
    Gabriel panel showing the Ave Maria scroll and halo; conservation pads and swabs ready on the bench.
  • Silvano Cioci-Faux standing with workshop visitors behind the altar panel on the table
    Silvano with workshop visitors and the altar panel during the St Marie's heritage open days.
  • Silvano Cioci-Faux holding a conservation product while explaining the process to a visitor
    Explaining conservation products and approach beside the panel, with site drawings on the wall.
  • Silvano Cioci-Faux showing before and after photographs on a tablet to the workshop group
    Before-and-after documentation on a tablet, shared with the second sold-out workshop session.
  • Workshop visitors gathered around the Gabriel panel while Silvano stands by with a magnifying visor
    Visitors inspect the Gabriel panel on the table; Silvano with magnifier visor after detailed cleaning work.
  • Four workshop visitors examining a reredos panel under a work lamp in the site office
    Examining gilded details on a panel under a work lamp during the heritage workshop.
  • Silvano Cioci-Faux explaining the panel restoration to workshop attendees wearing conservation gloves
    Silvano talks the group through the painted scheme on the reredos panel, with a second panel stored behind.
  • Heritage workshop group in hard hats viewing St Marie's nave and organ through scaffolding
    Workshop tour inside St Marie's: attendees in PPE view the nave, organ and scaffolding during the redevelopment.
  • Heritage workshop attendees in hi-vis vests touring the church interior during building works
    Attendees tour the church interior in hi-vis and hard hats while the HLF building works continue.
  • St Marie's sanctuary and nave filled with scaffolding during the Heritage Lottery Fund redevelopment
    Wide view of St Marie's during the HLF refurbishment: scaffolding through the nave toward the sanctuary.
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