Ford Forlano Careers in Philadelphia, PA

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 me