Neil Pardington The Vault opens at Museum on Saturday

Glimpses into hidden spaces behind the scenes of New Zealand museums and galleries are offered by leading contemporary photographer Neil Pardington.

The Neil Pardington: The Vault photographic exhibition reveals collection stores normally closed to the public.

Images include animals and birds in taxidermy storerooms, paintings fastened to sliding storage walls, specimens in jars, shelves of films in tins, taonga Māori, textiles, card catalogues and much more.

Curator Ken Hall says The Vault may be like a museum of museums, but it is also a metaphor for the idea of memory – both individual and collective.

"Pardington’s gathering of storage spaces also suggests a vast collection of strange, unanticipated 'found art'. Placed under a spotlight, the hidden back rooms and corners of our museums and galleries offer many thought-provoking and surprising tales."

Pardington (Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Kati Waewae, Pākehā) has exhibited nationally and internationally, and worked as an artist, designer and film-maker. He is one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded photographers and his work is held in both private and public collections.

This is his first major solo show.

This exhibition is on display at Rotorua Museum from 6 August until 4 December.

Entry to the exhibition is included with admission to the Museum, which is free for Rotorua residents with proof of residency.