Set on a remote peninsula, Tawharanui Regional Park boasts beautiful white sand beaches, rolling pastures, shingled bays native coastal forest and regenerating wetlands.

The 588 hectare park is New Zealand's first integrated open sanctuary (mainland island) where farming, public recreation and conservation of native species combine. The maori name Tawharanui refers to "the abundant bracts of the kiekie vine". Anchor Bay where this is painted is named after the anchor of the Phoenix, a vessel wrecked on the Tawharanui coastline in 1879. Scott is inspired here by David Barker's Kelliher winning 'Tawharanui'

Born in Auckland, 1945, Ian Scott's painting career spans some four decades. He is a major New Zealand artist of the Post McCahon generation who has remained innovative and experimental in his practice. Studying under the tuition of Garth Tapper (1927-1999) at Kelston Boys High School, he won numerous junior art competitions during his youth including a section of the Kelliher Art Prize in 1965. He entered Elam School of Fine Arts at Auckland University in 1964. Scott's art is held in the collections of public galleries and private collections throughout New Zealand. His lattice works have become icons of contemporary painting in this country.

A publication titled 'Ian Scott', was published in 1998 by art critic Warwick Brown.

Ian Scott lives in Auckland.