An expert from the hit BBC series The Repair Shop has shared the heartbreaking news of a guest's death. Art conservator Lucia Scalisi announced on Instagram that Maria Kirk, who featured on the programme in March 2023, has passed away.
A Poignant Tribute and a Lasting Legacy
Lucia Scalisi posted a moving tribute to Maria earlier this week, expressing her sadness at the loss of a 'wonderful' woman. Maria Kirk appeared in the first episode of the show's twelfth series, bringing with her an incredibly special family heirloom: a painting that miraculously survived a Second World War labour camp.
Scalisi wrote on Instagram: 'It is with sadness I learned today that the wonderful Maria Kirk passed last night.' She urged followers to remember Maria's powerful story and the painting she brought to @therepairshoptv.
The Incredible Journey of a Family Treasure
The painting's history is a testament to human resilience. Maria explained during her episode that her grandfather, a Ukrainian Catholic priest, was given the artwork when he was ordained. It hung in his church until the outbreak of WWII.
Fleeing conflict, Maria's grandmother, mother, and aunt made the daring decision to save it. They rolled the canvas up and secretly stitched it into the lining of a winter coat. The women were later captured by German forces and sent to a labour camp, where Maria's grandmother died of starvation. Yet, the hidden painting survived.
'It is incredible it survived. It became even more precious,' Lucia told a tearful Maria during the restoration.
A Dream of Homecoming
Maria's deepest wish was to one day return the restored painting to its original home in Ukraine, to the village church where her grandfather served. She confirmed the church was still standing. 'With everything that's happening in Ukraine... it's meant to be,' she said emotionally during filming.
Lucia noted in her tribute that Maria had worked tirelessly to share the painting's story through exhibitions and talks, hoping to see it returned. 'Let us hope peace prevails to this end, it will be Maria’s lasting legacy,' Scalisi wrote.
When Maria saw Lucia's meticulous restoration, which involved cleaning decades of dirt and repairing damaged canvas, she was overcome. 'Oh my goodness,' she wept. 'The colours. It's alive... I will never, ever, ever, forget this.'
The Repair Shop airs on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
