Anna Scott, Portrait of a Piwakawaka

Portrait of a Pīwakawaka

By Anna Scott

Portrait of a Pīwakawaka is part of Anna Scott’s distinctive 800mm round portrait series, an ongoing body of work capturing intimate, head-focused depictions of Aotearoa’s native birds. Each piece in the series is created in pencil on natural ply and sealed for longevity, offering a large-scale, detailed encounter that invites viewers to pause and become present—just as we do when a bird’s song catches our attention.

This fluffed-up pīwakawaka is shown in a rare moment of stillness, bathed in the crisp light of a snowy mountain dawn. Known for their quick, darting movements and boundless personality, pīwakawaka are seldom captured sitting quietly. Here, Anna honours that fleeting pause, celebrating the bird’s expressive posture, delicate feathers, and gentle strength.

By isolating the head and upper body, the portrait draws us closer to the essence of the bird—its curiosity, energy, and the joy it brings to those who encounter it. Within this series, each bird becomes both a subject and a reminder: to slow down, listen, and notice the subtle gifts offered by the natural world.

Portrait of a Pīwakawaka is an invitation to be present, to savour the small wonders around us, and to reflect on how we care for the environments these treasured birds call home.

Media: Pencil on ply (sealed)
Dimensions: 800 mm diameter
Series: Portraits of a Bird
Artist: Anna Scott – Taranaki, Aotearoa