To mark 60-plus years as a family optometry business, Michael Warner, dispensing optician and co-owner of Fitzroy Optometrists in New Plymouth, has carved a spectacular sculpture.
Established in 1961 as Ronald M Phillips Optometrists by Ron Phillips, his son-in-law Warner joined him in 1987. When Phillips retired in 2011, his daughter Anne joined her husband to take over as owners.
Inspired by the local stone carving symposium, Warner started sculpting five years ago and decided to create something to celebrate the business milestone. The sculpture – named Lex after the Roman numerals LX, for 60 – now takes pride of place outside the practice front. Carved from a local andesite boulder, Warner used angle grinders, diamond blades, chisels and diamond polishing pads to create the piece.
The Te Kupenga International Stone Sculpture Symposium exhibition runs from 22-28 January 2023 in New Plymouth, finishing with a public auction on Saturday 28 at 1pm. Warner said he will be part of the symposium again, “creating dust and something interesting”. For more, see www.tekupenga.com
