A chance find at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre became the starting point for a unique exhibition at Renata's Art and Framing.
On Paper opened recently and runs until December 20. It features art by Renata Szarvas - the owner of Renata's Art and Framing - Matt Dutton, and Aaron Te Rangiao.
Ms Szarvas and Mr Dutton were recycling at the recovery centre when they discovered some very old books that had been thrown out.
"Some of them are from the 1860s, but they were in a very bad condition.
"They had rotted or were food for rats," Ms Szarvas said.