Millmead unveils eco sculpture

Heavy-Light was created by sustainability designer, Yair Neuman

The Millmead Optical Group is preparing to officially unveil Heavy-Light, a sculpture created from discarded demo lenses and lens waste (swarf) from its factory in Maghull, Liverpool.

The sculpture was conceived and designed by renowned sustainability designer, Yair Neuman, whose portfolio includes sustainable material innovation in optics. He was assisted in the creation of this sculpture project by Hannah Browne, a fine art student at Liverpool John Moores University.

The sculpture is now on display at the Open Eye Gallery, on Liverpool’s famous Royal Albert Docks. Heavy Light will be officially unveiled and introduced by Yair at a launch event at the gallery on Friday 9 December. During the evening event, James Conway, CEO of the Millmead Optical Group, will discuss the purpose and role of the sculpture going into 2023.

Yair commented: “I’m delighted to be unveiling the sculpture in Liverpool’s Open Eye Gallery. The process of working with the team at Millmead Optical Group and my assistant Hannah has been an incredible learning experience for us all. The central message of this project is of huge significance: if we can turn discarded waste products into something beautiful and begin those important discussions about reducing industrial waste, then there is hope for us all to become part of the solution.”

James Conway said: “Sustainability is a journey not a destination – and it’s one that we embarked on four years ago at Millmead. However, this collaboration with Yair Neuman and the work we’ve developed to find more sustainable uses for our waste products, is by far the biggest step that we have taken along our own journey.

“We’re thrilled with the sculpture and look forward to unveiling it at the gallery, before it embarks on a nationwide tour across several galleries and industry events, including an appearance on our stand at 100% Optical in February,” James added.