Peter Oxborough describes the images and symbols he finds in his maritime environment on the Mahurangi Harbour, north of Auckland, as the main source of his inspiration. The topsail is his interpretation of an early sail form used on working sailing ships around the New Zealand coast and elsewhere in the world, especially in the 19th century. This form enables him to incorporate wood and fibre and other materials. The ‘sail’ itself is made from ceramic and is attached to the wooden armature with the fibre cord. Oxborough was born in England and came to New Zealand in 1956. In 1980 he won a Merit Award for the Fletcher Brownbuilt exhibition. He travelled to Italy in 1990 for three months of work and study and in 1994 he was invited to attend the ‘Keramos’ International Ceramics Expo in Italy. During 1998 Oxborough again travelled to Europe and to Australia for work and study. He has exhibited extensively throughout the country in both group and solo exhibitions.