Marbled Paradox Pottery

In 1971, Paradox Pottery was founded by Jim Whalen after graduating from East Carolina University. After teaching for 5 years in Charlotte, the pottery was moved to the mountains of North Carolina.

Jim's pots are wheel thrown, burnished, and coated with terra sigillata. After bisque firing, patterns and images are created with wax resist. The pots then go through a two stage firing process:

The first is a low temperature salt firing; the second a sawdust firing. Both firings produce random chaotic markings on the surface of each pot. The wax resist separates the effects caused by each process into distinct areas giving definition to the patterns without losing the vitality of chaos.

Of his work Jim says, "The patterns are like songs, each pot, a live performance. The songs are about the mystery and magic of the paradox, the great void and the creative impulse and the membrane of imagination. My subject matter is not of this world but rather where and how it’s created."

• Please Note: The appearance of white spots on the surface is a reflection from photo lighting.
• ~6.5" tall / ~3.5" mouth