Anna Scott, Kōtare

Kōtare

From the In the Grain Series
By Anna Scott

Kōtare forms part of Anna Scott’s contemplative In the Grain series — a body of work guided by the natural rhythm and storytelling embedded within the timber itself. In this series, the artist works collaboratively with the wood, allowing its grain to shape the composition and reveal forms that feel innate to the surface. Through this process, the artwork becomes a gentle conversation between artist and whenua, where letting go and listening bring the subject forward.

The sacred kōtare (kingfisher) emerges with clarity and quiet strength. Known as a bird of patience and deep awareness, the kōtare sits attuned to the subtle shifts of its environment — observing, waiting, and responding with precision. Within Māori tradition, the kōtare is often associated with alertness, reflection, and the ability to see beyond the surface of things. Observing and listening first then making decisions with rapid precision.

Rendered in sealed pencil on ply timber, and enriched with delicate touches of gold leaf, the bird is anchored in both natural materiality and spiritual resonance. The shimmering gold alludes to insight, clarity, and the threads of connection that move between worlds.

Kōtare invites viewers into the same state of stillness the bird itself embodies — a reminder to pause, stay aware, and recognise the subtle messages carried within the land, the seasons, and our daily environment.

Media: Sealed pencil on ply timber with gold leaf
Dimensions: 1030 × 1130 mm
Series: In the Grain
Artist: Anna Scott – Taranaki, Aotearoa