It is rare for pottery to be used to depict landscape, but with this work Philip Hadfield has successfully manipulated the folds of clay to describe the distinctive, striated landforms characteristic of Canterbury’s Banks Peninsula. Hadfield’s skilful handling of the porcellaneous stoneware gives a convincing sense of the landscape’s monumental scale and lends the scene a timeless quality. Porcellaneous stoneware is a totally vitrified ceramic material that was produced in China as early as the Shang dynasty (c.1500 -1028 BC). Born in Christchurch, Hadfield’s first contact with ceramics was working with his neighbour, potter Stephen Foster, at home in Diamond Bay after school each day. In 1971 Hadfield left for England and stayed with a potter in Kent, doing moulded work. When he returned to New Zealand, his brother, Denys, also a ceramic artist, taught him how to throw pottery. After setting up his own kiln and studio, Hadfield travelled to America in 1978 and worked in a pottery in San Diego. He has exhibited in many Canterbury Potters’ Society shows.