Ford Forlano

Our Collaboration began in 1988 making jewelry and objects under the name City Zen Cane. For the first 10 years we kept a rigorous studio and teaching practice as we developed new techniques working with polymer clay. Most of the focus of the early work was about color and pattern. We taught ourselves how to work with polymer clay. As our two unique visions came together, we began to recognize and respect the value of collaboration. We had a strong foundation of working with materials and ideas together in art school where we met in Rome, Italy in 1984. We could not be more different. David created large abstract paintings in which color and the physicality of paint were a major component. Steve's work, in contrast, was based on the question:"How can I make a painting as an object, a fully integrated three-dimensional piece.” For the first 10 years following art school, we both kept active painting studios while developing our work as City Zen Cane. In 1998 we introduced precious metals and other materials into our work. We brought in, Philadelphia based metalsmith, Maryanne Petrus to help us with the next chapter of our vision. A very different body of work was born as we moved into making jewelry that reflected our personal and collaborative expression. We focused on one of a kind pieces. We experimented with form, structure and surface. We broadened our color palette. This new expression of work demanded a different name. We retired City Zen Cane and introduced our new work as Ford/Forlano. David moved to Santa Fe in 2005. Without missing a beat, we continue to send work between our Philadelphia and Santa Fe studios. The work of Ford/Forlano is widely collected in public museum collections as well as many private collections.