University of Tasmania, Australia

A selection of works by Australia's most creative jewellery designers will be displayed at the 12th biennial Contemporary Wearables '11 touring award exhibition.

Art followers with an eye for cutting edge jewellery designs can view the latest decorative pieces at Academy Gallery from 17 August to 14 September.

This year's exhibition attracted entries from 110 Australian artists. Fifty artists, including 3 Tasmanians, had works selected for the Contemporary Wearables '11.

The Contemporary Wearables Jewellery Award recognises and promotes innovation in design and use of materials in the creation of jewellery.

Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery and the Toowoomba Gallery Society devised the award exhibition in 1989 to promote the profile of contemporary jewellery artisans.

From its beginnings, the importance, size, presentation, reputation and prestige of this Award exhibition has increased dramatically. It now is established as an important event on the calendar of leading jewellers.

Katie Scott, Director of Gallery Funaki, Melbourne was this year's judge. The selection panel included Grace Cochrane (retired senior curator of Australian decorative arts and design, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney) and Brenda Ridgewell (Director of Jewellery and 3D Design, Curtin University, Western Australia).

Curated by Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery and touring to other galleries during 2012.

Contemporary Wearables '11 is a Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery touring exhibition.

Guest Opening Speaker: Malcom Bywaters, Director, Academy Gallery/NEW Gallery, University of Tasmania

Exhibition opening: 5.30 - 7pm Friday 17 August

Exhibition dates: 17 August -14 September

Gallery C