Craft / “Something for the Ear”, Bilk Gallery, until September 16. Reviewed by MEREDITH HINCHLIFFE.

IT is some time since Bilk Gallery – now on Captain’s Flat Road, just outside Queanbeyan – had an exhibition, and it is great to see them back. The shows are always of high quality, innovative and show the work of outstanding artists.

This exhibition is a response to the question: “What is it about earrings?”

Earrings are an ancient form of jewellery and one of the most accessible. They can be simple and small – a gold or silver stud – or elaborate and long, hanging to the shoulders. The earrings on exhibit fall between these extremes but are nevertheless eye-catching.

There is a wonderful variety of materials used in the earrings being exhibited – silver, enamel, synthetic stones, colourful PVC and recycled plastic among them.

“Point Earring 3build” is a glamorous pair made from silver, smoky quartz and sparkly cubic zirconia  by Takashi Kojima. The dark quartz is highlighted by the sparkling zirconia.

Lisa Furno has transformed an old toy box and a used cubby house into brightly coloured clusters that sit on the ear and catch the viewers’ eye.

Once, earrings were very much a pair – one identical to the other. Jane Bowden is showing four pairs of mismatched earrings, although their similarity comes from the materials and their decorative forms. “Circle and Square”, is an example. A circular piece of petrified timber contrasts with a square of oxidised sterling silver, from which a circle has been removed. Bowden’s work is considered and beautifully finished.

Danni Schwaag is showing earrings combining dark galalith, a form of synthetic plastic, with milky, lacy mother of pearl that  glows softly.

Melissa Cameron keeps her eye out for found materials – even in the gutters. She is showing two pairs of earrings made from stainless steel street sweeper blades. One pair is simple – two strips crossed. The other pair is “Four Tier Earrings”. The strips are joined so they hang from the ear lobe.

And when writing about ears, we can’t forget six pairs of spectacles by Johannes Kuhnen. These are all in titanium and stainless steel and are practical and striking.