Ken Price (1935–2012) was an artist whose innovative ceramic sculptures challenged traditional distinctions between craft and fine art. Born in Los Angeles, Price earned a B.F.A. from the University of Southern California in 1956 and studied ceramics with Peter Voulkos at the Los Angeles County Art Institute (now Otis College of Art and Design). He earned an M.F.A. from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 1959. While Voulkos encouraged an experimental approach to clay, Price developed a distinctly different visual language, creating small meticulously finished sculptures rather than monumental, expressionistic forms. His work ranges from cups and vessels to abstract, biomorphic forms whose openings and cavities hold subtle references to functional ceramics. In later works, Price applied layers of brightly colored acrylic paint to fired clay, then sanded the surfaces to reveal underlying colors and intricate patterns. Drawing inspiration from Southern California surf culture, Mexican folk pottery, Japanese ceramics and the natural landscape, Price helped establish clay as an important medium for contemporary sculpture.