Inspiration Behind My Artworks – Te Anau Artist Sina Sibler
Bouquet of Forest
Explore “A Bouquet of Forest,” a ballpoint pen drawing celebrating the textures and spirit of Aotearoa’s native bush, blending imagination with a call to protect nature.
Forest Penguin on Chalky Island
Discover Forest Penguin on Chalky Island, a highly detailed black and white ink drawing by Sina Sibler. Inspired by Fiordland’s lush bush and the elusive tawaki (Fiordland crested penguin), this artwork merges conservation memories with imagination.
Gift of the Forest (Koha Ngahere)
Gift of the Forest (Koha Ngahere) transforms a 1935 photograph of beech felling in Southland’s Longwood Ranges into a surreal bouquet of native trees. Drawn in meticulous ballpoint pen, the work reflects on Aotearoa’s complex relationship with its forests - balancing beauty, history, and loss.
Kiwi Stump Dweller
A delicate black-and-white ink drawing capturing a curious Fiordland kiwi as it peeks from its moss‑clad stump, framed by intricate native ferns, a quiet celebration of New Zealand’s hidden wild.
The Lighthouse
A finely detailed ink drawing capturing the quiet strength of a lighthouse standing watch over rugged shores. A tribute to solitude, resilience, and the guiding light that cuts through even the darkest weather.
Where My Ideas Come From
Most of my drawing ideas simply appear, often in quiet, bored moments, but spending time in nature really sparks them. I blend photos from hikes with a dash of comic-book flair, weaving imagined landscapes that capture the wild beauty and wonder of the bush.
Still of the Night
Black and white ink and pen drawing of a moonshine still in the Hokonui Hills, inspired by New Zealand Prohibition-era history.
Forest Boot VI - Mining
Ink drawing inspired by Mitchells Gully Gold Mine. An old boot and overgrown tunnel tell the story of New Zealand’s gold rush and nature's quiet reclaiming.
Forest Boot V - Hump Ridge Track
Explore the story behind the Hump Ridge Track drawing — a ballpoint pen illustration capturing the historic remnants of Fiordland’s logging past
I Saw – Te Hikoi Museum Exhibition
Created for the Te Hikoi Museum exhibition, “I Saw” is a black and white ink drawing inspired by archival artifacts of Fiordland’s logging past. A vintage saw slices into a wood round, revealing growth rings. From it emerges native bush with a pipe-smoking figure—a haunting tribute to the loggers and landscapes of another time.
East Branch Track
East Branch Track is an ink drawing inspired by a rugged hiking trail in Fiordland’s Eglinton Valley. This piece explores the contrast between light and shadow, movement and stillness, and pays homage to the land’s natural rhythms.
Forest Boot - Key Summit
Forest Boot II – Key Summit is a black ballpoint pen drawing that explores the quiet balance between wilderness and human presence in Fiordland’s iconic alpine track.