Tourism graphic art in museum show

One of the tourism posters featuring Rotorua, on display at the museum from tomorrow.

A collection of graphic art tourism posters used to promote New Zealand to the world are going on display at the Rotorua Museum.

Selling the Dream, which opens tomorrow, is a celebration of graphic art tourism posters.

Before television and colour photography, cleverly crafted poster images were pivotal in developing New Zealand's tourism industry and the country's national identity.

The exhibition includes more than 50 lithographs and silk-screen prints portraying an idealised New Zealand, using iconic images in vivid colours.

These were some of the finest graphic artworks ever produced in New Zealand, said museum director Stewart Brown.

He said it was great to be the first North Island venue to present the exhibition.

"Rotorua is the birthplace of tourism in New Zealand," he said.

"So it's fitting that the exhibition includes posters displaying Maori culture and our unique geothermal landscape, and even the Bath House building."

Also opening tomorrow is Night & Day: The Curious Collections of Tony Fomison. The exhibition explores the personal collections of New Zealand artist Tony Fomison (1939-1990).

Although Fomison was probably most well known as a painter, he also had a passion for collecting all manner of artefacts and mementos. Those items were sourced from junk shops, flea markets, garage sales and second-hand stores, and he was often accompanied by friends such as Mark Adams and former Rotorua Museum director John Perry.

Mr Perry said he remembered visiting the various houses where Fomison took up residence and described them as rich and stimulating experiences.

"The rooms were always jam-packed with various collections thoughtfully arranged on shelves, mantelpieces and walls," he said.