‘First Cut’ Sculpture Marks New Venture for Miller UK Limited
June 9th, 2005
Paul Richardson with sculpture 'First Cut'.
The UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of buckets and couplers for hydraulic excavators, Miller UK Limited, has unveiled a commemorative sculpture to mark its latest venture and reflect its corporate values as the company moves forward.
‘First Cut’, a steel fabrication designed to represent a giant bucket tooth, was created by Wallsend artist Paul Richardson to mark the official opening of the firm’s new premises in Cramlington by HRH The Duke of Kent.
Richardson, 40, who is currently working towards a Foundation Degree in Fine Art, was commissioned after the firm approached Tyne Metropolitan College in a bid to work more closely with a nearby educational establishment to mutual benefit.
The sculpture, which will be permanently on show outside Miller’s Northumberland offices, reflects the company’s position at the cutting edge of its field and also represents the construction industry’s tradition of ceremoniously cutting the first sod of earth on a new development.
Richardson has been able to include the innovative piece of work in his portfolio, which he recently submitted to Northumbria University as part of his application to be accepted directly into the final year of a BA Honours Degree.
Taking his inspiration from Miller’s manufacturing process, Richardson composed the sculpture’s front facing panels of stylised profiles of its two key products, the Bug Coupler and the Scoop.
Richardson explained: “After a tour of Miller’s factory and offices, I was determined the sculpture would reflect the Company’s Philosophy, The 3P’s: People, Products and Performance, as I was particularly impressed by simplicity but effectiveness of these core values. I think the final piece manages to achieve this in a thought-provoking way.”
“It’s been a highly enjoyable challenge and I’m proud to be responsible for a sculpture that will permanently be displayed as a welcome to Miller’s premises.”
Gwyn Stephenson, marketing manager at Miller, commented: “Paul has done a great job of encapsulating the firm in a creative yet relevant way and feedback has already been extremely positive.”
“We’re grateful to Paul for his contribution and are delighted to be unveiling the final execution at such an exciting time for the firm.”
John O’Rourke, the course leader in Foundation Degree in Fine Art at Tyne Metropolitan College, added: “Paul’s artwork for Miller is excellent, constituting a meaningful, symbolic link between the company’s work, its ethos and its vision for the future. The sculpture is a great example of what can be achieved when industry and education unite in shaping the nature of educational creativity in the arts.”