Paul James

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Previously shown in

​stillness 2024

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collections 2025

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Paul’s porcelain compositions explore the fragmented realities of the world we find ourselves entangled in—fractured, divided, and seemingly irreparably torn. Rolled sheets of porcelain undergo a deliberate process of dissection and reassembly, creating seams that carry a palpable tension—both literal and metaphorical.

 

These lines, while marking division, also suggest reunification—a delicate balance between rupture and reconciliation, echoing the contradictions of our fractured existence. Once rejoined, the porcelain is rolled to the thickness of paper, emphasising its fragility and vulnerability. After the final firing, polished surfaces emerge — complex, subtle, and quietly reflective —inviting closer inspection and deeper thought.

 

Ultimately, the aim is to create a piece of art that offers a unique narrative— shaped by each viewer’s perspective. It becomes a space for introspection. After all, each individual perceives a different truth, and perhaps—just perhaps finds a fleeting moment of clarity within the chaos.

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The elliptical bowls are among the most complex pieces that Paul makes. The bowls are thrown then dissected and rejoined on the bias to create the white seams running through them. The bases are then turned off centre so the bowl sits at an angel creating movement in both the seam and the object. The final process of polishing leaves a subtle sheen letting the natural beauty of the porcelain to shine through.

 

Paul’s work focuses on the simplicity, the raw material, revealing the natural beauty and refinement of the clay body. There is a purity to the forms that are dissected and reassembled creating movement.

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Click images for details and if you are interested in any of Paul James's work please enquire below.