TWO new exhibitions exploring ancient and modern aspects of Japan will open to the public tomorrow (Saturday, May 17).

Exquisite enamels and colourful cinema art are the subjects of two exhibitions at Palace Green Library in Durham.

The Seven Treasures: Japanese Enamels From the V&A includes displays of enamelware from the 16th Century through to the 20th Century.

Beautiful enamel work from the Victoria and Albert Museum is being shown alongside objects from Durham University’s collections to present a complete picture of one of Japan’s most exquisite art forms.

Meanwhile, the same building will be staging a second exhibition entitled Off The Wall: The Art of the Japanese Movie Poster, which celebrates a world of gangsters, monsters and manga characters.

Created by nameless designers from a few still photographs and some bold lettering, the posters have become collectors’ items the world over.

The exhibition features posters from the 1950s to the modern day collected by Durham University’s Oriental Museum.

Rachel Grocke, curator of the Off The Wall exhibition, said: “Japanese film posters are as unique as Japanese films. The bold designs can sometimes be playful or comic, at other times impassioned or even disturbing.

“They reflect a distinctly Japanese design aesthetic and I hope visitors will have as much fun exploring this exhibition as we had creating it.”

Keith Bartlett, Durham University’s Director of Culture, said: "These exhibitions are a celebration of the rich diversity of Japanese culture.

“We are thrilled to have worked with the V&A to bring The Seven Treasures to Durham.”

Both exhibitions run until August 31. Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Tuesdays to Sundays and noon to 5pm on Mondays.