Crafted by –WallaceSutherland

Wallace Sutherland’s Native Flower Rings exist in the space between jewelry and fine art. Each ring captures the essence of New Zealand’s unique botanical heritage, transformed through silver and gold into permanent tributes to the ephemeral beauty of native blossoms. His work represents a lifetime of careful observation, deep respect for nature, and masterful craftsmanship—a tangible connection to the wild heart of Aotearoa that can be worn, treasured, and passed down through generations.

For nearly five decades, Wallace Sutherland has translated his profound connection with the native flora of Aotearoa into exquisite wearable art. His journey as a creator began in the lush bush surrounding his ancestral home at French Pass in the Marlborough Sounds, where his mother Nancy would name each native species they encountered on their walks along the Lighthouse track.

This early botanical education deepened during Wallace’s time at Canterbury University. Studying botany, he found himself drawn to examining flowers under microscopes and rendering them in detailed illustrations. When answering exam questions with intricate drawings—and still managing to pass—Wallace recognized his natural inclination toward an artistic interpretation of the world.

After graduating in Geology, a brief stint consulting for a gold mining company in North Queensland sparked his fascination with precious metals. This interest matured during extensive travels through Africa, Asia, Europe, and the UK with his late wife Sally. Upon returning to Aotearoa, the couple settled among a vibrant artistic community in Auckland’s Ponsonby district, where Wallace’s creative vision began to crystallise.

Combining his scientific background with newfound silversmithing techniques learned at the Lapis Lazuli School, Wallace created his signature Native Flower Rings in 1976. His process is marked by meticulous attention to detail—he has been known to climb trees to collect specimens, allowing him to fabricate and engrave directly from life. The flowing structure of his designs emerged organically as his botanical drawings naturally adapted to the continuous form of the ring.

Beyond his iconic rings, Wallace expanded his artistic vision to encompass a broader range of wearable art—intricate brooches, elegant earrings, sculptural bracelets, and statement necklaces. His creative evolution continued through contemporary medallions, bronze sculpture and distinctive landscape watercolor paintings.

An early exhibitor at Fingers, New Zealand’s leading contemporary jewellery gallery, Wallace showcased his work regularly throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. His pieces have gained international recognition, featuring in collections at the British Museum, The Hague, and Milan.

Yet despite his diverse artistic explorations, it’s the Native Flower Rings—his first creative output from almost fifty years ago—that have remained the through-line of his career as an artist and jeweler. When walking through the bush even now, Wallace cannot help but identify the native plants around him—the same instinct that has guided his artistic practice for half a century and continues to inspire his celebrated creations.