Artist

Ken Price

born Los Angeles, CA 1935-died Taos, NM 2012
Also known as
  • Kenneth Price
Born
Los Angeles, California, United States
Died
Taos, New Mexico, United States
Biography
Ken Price studied at the Chouinard and Otis Art Institutes in Los Angeles, before earning his BFA from the University of Southern California in 1956 and an MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Price was greatly influenced by the progressive ceramist Peter Voulkos, who taught him at Otis. The pair bridged the gap between “fine art” and “craft” through their unprecedented application of contemporary styles to the medium of ceramics. An avid surfer, Price was influenced by the ocean and by the Mexican pottery he saw while on surfing trips in Southern California. Price’s works became larger, more sensual, and increasingly abstract as his career progressed. Throughout his life, he adamantly refused to provide any explanation of the meaning behind his works, instead insisting that viewers discover their own meaning in his complex, abstract forms.

Works by this artist (7 items)

William Hunter, Golden Shell, 1994, satinwood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.24, © 1994, William Hunter
Golden Shell
Date1994
satinwood
Not on view
William Hunter, Visions, 1987, cocobolo, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Jane and Arthur K. Mason, 1991.169.4, © 1987, William Hunter
Visions
Date1987
cocobolo
Not on view
Marianne Hunter, William Hunter, Africa, 1990, satinwood, ebony, 24k gold, sterling silver, fine silver, enamel, and rutilated quartz, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.27A-C, © 1990, William and Marianne Hunter
Africa
Date1990
satinwood, ebony, 24k gold, sterling silver, fine silver, enamel, and rutilated quartz
Not on view
Marianne Hunter, William Hunter, Evening Blossom, 1989, ebony, 24k gold, sterling silver, enamel, amethyst, and charoite, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.26A-C, © 1989, William and Marianne Hunter
Evening Blossom
Date1989
ebony, 24k gold, sterling silver, enamel, amethyst, and charoite
Not on view