Paul James

After completing an MA in Ceramics from the RCA in 1988, Paul moved to Italy and worked for Gucci on their home and perfume products, then into the world of leather goods and accessories. That seemed a natural progression from clay with his love of form, sculpture and respect for craftsmanship. This led to a 30-year career in fashion accessories, moving to New York in the early 90s, becoming design director for Calvin Klein, Cole Haan, and COACH amongst others.

After over 25 years in America, Paul returned to the UK, where a casual evening course in ceramics reawakened the desire for clay. Lockdown and a borrowed wheel in the basement enabled the rekindling process. Feeling creatively fulfilled and naturally at ease with the medium made him realise that it was something that he had missed for a long time.

An inherent love of minimalism and purity, form, line, architecture, and abstract art combined with a career in fashion, are Paul’s subconscious sources of inspiration.

Paul’s work focuses on the simplicity of the raw materials revealing the natural textures of the clay body, enhanced through a process of turning, sanding, and polishing. His vessels have a predominantly monochrome and neutral palette. They feature a single drawn line of blue which highlights the sliced and reassembled construction. His love of imperfection is celebrated also in the raw edges of the rims.