Born in Los Angeles, Ken Price studied at the Chouinard Art Institute and the Otis Art Institute, where he worked under the influential ceramicist Peter Voulkos. He later earned his BFA from the University of Southern California in 1956 and an MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 1959.

Price is best known for his small-scale, abstract ceramic sculptures that often feature complex, layered surfaces and fluid, bulbous shapes. His practice challenged traditional distinctions between sculpture and pottery, utilizing innovative glazing techniques to achieve intense, saturated color palettes that define his signature aesthetic.

His work remains a staple of contemporary art discourse, frequently appearing in major international gallery presentations and institutional exhibitions. His legacy continues to be recognized for its significant influence on the development of West Coast modernism and the elevation of clay as a primary medium for abstract sculpture.