Famed photographer's exhibition wows capturing 'South Island 40 years ago'

Previously-unseen photos from the late Robin Morrison's South Island road trip more than 40 years ago are wowing visitors to the exhibition at Auckland Museum.

The display focusing on Morrison's 1979 trip has received "very positive"  feedback since opening on March 3, said the museum's pictorial curator Shaun Higgins.

“People not familiar with Robins work have been particularly positive, with them seeing a seldom seen view of the South Island off the beaten track”.

Visitors familiar with his work have been “surprised as we’ve featured some unseen photos from this trip as some more well-known slides were not available,” he added

Of the more than 4000 slides from the family road trip, 40 were chosen to be displayed along with a full slideshow of negatives in the Robin Morrison: Road Trip exhibition.

“It’s not necessarily the best of showcasing the best or all of the slides from trip but it's about looking at his work in a new way and showcases Morrison the best way,” said Higgins.

Part of Morrisons appeal is the personable nature of his works and familiar scenes which leads people to feel comfortable with them, very Kiwi and very approachable, he said.

“Morrisons work is no tourism advert, however his work is very easy to feel connected too.

“There has been a renewed interest in local culture and art due to not being able to travel and we have seen a surge in visitor numbers to photography exhibitions - Morrison's has been no different”.

The show allows visitors to enjoy a land seldom seen.

“I encourage locals and visitors to Auckland to see this exhibition, they will see something interesting exhibition showcasing what the South Island looked like 40 years ago and parts of it they might not visit”.

The exhibition is free for Aucklanders and will run to February or March of next year.