Since graduating in 1980, Dublin born Kim Ford has been consolidating his ceramic skills in a variety of situations. He has worked in two potteries both involved with volume production, one of slip-cast ware and the other concentrating on thrown ware. A career move into education followed, providing a different dimension to his skill base, engaging him in the teaching of Ceramics and Sculpture.

Returning to full-time making has enabled Kim to develop his practice using Raku and Smoke firing processes. The pieces are constructed using a mixture of slabbed, coiled or thrown components and then finished in several ways. A number are left with naturally occurring spontaneous surface areas, some have definite coarse or eroded textures,  others are burnished to a high gloss.

After firing to 1000 degrees, the pots are treated with resists of different kinds then glazed or coloured with oxides, before firing in a propane Raku kiln. They are removed at about 850 degrees, and placed in a reduction chamber with paper, sawdust or other combustible material, which carbonises the surface and encourages the metallic elements of the oxides and minerals to emerge.The pots are then cleaned, and finished with wax to reveal subtle, robust, intentional and incidental patterning or marking.

Kim is very interested in how things change and develop as they are uncovered, worn or pared away. The pots he produces are visually stimulating, with appealing tactile qualities, which enable a multi-sensory appreciation of the pieces. If people are drawn to handle the work, it has been a success. Inspiration for pots is derived from a range of sources but organic, linear and coastal environment themes predominate.

As a complementary element to his studio work Kim has also run workshops, undertaken architectural and other commissions.