“It seems only fitting to close out Weekly Objects with the works of a certified legend. Godfather, grandfather, icon, influencer… however you define him, there is no disputing Alan Preston’s trail-blazing status. He has, over fifty years, given shape and voice and a whole lot of heart to the field of contemporary jewellery in Aotearoa. 

For Objectspace, we have 25 of Preston’s Road Works Pins, not made for us as such, much better than that... discovered on a studio visit amidst his glorious collection high up on his Muriwai maunga. Made since 2001, these brooches chronicle Preston’s enduring connection with the rock found underfoot. In this case the humble chips of greywacke that form our weaving map of roads. 

So, here’s your chance, snap up a little piece of profoundly good Aotearoa jewellery history, a badge of honour for the coat lapel, if you know you know – this is rock as good as it gets.” – Kim Paton 

Alan Preston
Road Works Pin 13, 2006
Road gravel, silver
Edition 13 of 25 for Weekly Objects from Preston’s wider Road Works series
$260

This one is an anomaly for Weekly Objects – not commissioned but instead uncovered during research for an exhibition. A box of rugged and beautiful brooches from Alan’s Road Works series lying dormant and ready for new homes. Of course, all proceeds go to Alan and Objectspace. Win. Win!

Artist Bio

Alan Preston began jewellery making through classes at the Camden Institute in London in 1973. In 1974 he spent time as a guest artist at New Zealand’s first major craft co-op, the Brown’s Mill Market, in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. That same year he went on to open Fingers gallery, alongside jewellers Ruth Baird, Roy Mason, Margaret Phillips and Michael Ayling. Fingers celebrates its 50th birthday this year. Preston has exhibited widely nationally and internationally; including a solo exhibition of his work at the Dowse Art Museum in 2007, and inclusion in the touring group exhibition ‘Wunderrūma: New Zealand jewellery’, 2014. His work is held in many national public collections. Preston was Adjunct Professor, Jewellery Design at Unitec from 2002–2013 and New Zealand selector, Schmuckszene, Munich from 1990 to 2010.