Matching specs. Michael Warner with his sculpture, Lex. Credit: Michael Warner.

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.

Nose to the grindstone: Warner shaping the piece's face

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