Forest Penguin on Chalky Island
Forest Penguin on Chalky Island – Ink Drawing by Sina Sibler
My latest black and white ink drawing, Forest Penguin on Chalky Island (28 x 35 cm, 19 hours), brings to life one of New Zealand’s rarest seabirds, the Fiordland crested penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus), also known by its Māori name tawaki.
In this piece, a tawaki is depicted emerging from beneath twisted roots and rocks, surrounded by native Fiordland bush and lush ferns. The scene is partly imagined, but the vegetation reflects my real experiences on Chalky Island, where I once worked on a conservation project. Those memories of misty rainforest, dripping moss, and dense undergrowth found their way into this drawing, blending reality with imagination.
About the Fiordland Crested Penguin (Tawaki)
The tawaki is one of the world’s rarest penguins, found only in New Zealand’s remote Fiordland and Stewart Island coastlines. With their striking yellow crests and secretive habits, they are a species shrouded in mystery. Unlike most penguins, tawaki breed in dense coastal rainforests, often nesting beneath tree roots or between rocks, just as imagined in this artwork.
Unfortunately, tawaki are classified as threatened–nationally vulnerable, with only a few thousand breeding pairs left. Predation, climate change, and habitat pressures make their survival increasingly fragile. Yet, they are also known for incredible feats: tawaki travel thousands of kilometres at sea during the winter months before returning to Fiordland to breed.
About the Artwork
Like all my ink drawings, Forest Penguin on Chalky Island is highly detailed and built up with thousands of fine pen strokes. The process took 19 hours, layering textures to capture the intricate ferns, weathered rocks, and the soft feathers of the penguin. My aim is always to celebrate the beauty of New Zealand’s wild places and wildlife, while also sharing a quiet reminder of their fragility.
Forest Penguin on Chalky Island will be on display at the Manapouri Art Exhibition at the Labour Weekend Exhibition 25-27.10.25, where you can view the details up close. Prints will also be available soon, so you can bring a piece of Fiordland’s wild beauty into your own home.