Rudy Autio

279 Pages·2002·21.68 MB·English

by  Autio

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b y L o u a n a M . L a c k e y
With A F o r e w o r d by P e t e r Voulkos
Published by
The American Ceramic Society
735 Ceramic Place
Westerville, OH 43081
www.ceramics.org
The American Ceramic Society, 735 Ceramic Place, Westerville, Ohio 4308 1
0 2002 by The American Ceramic Society.
All rights reserved. Published 2002. Printed in the United States of America.
06 05 04 03 02 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN: 1-57498-1 44-7
Executive Director and Publisher W. Paul Holbrook Developmental Editor Sarah Godby
Senior Director, Publications Mark Mecklenborg Marketing Assistant Jennifer Hereth
Acquisitions Mary J. Cassells Production Manager John Wilson
Design by Melissa Bury, Columbus, Ohio.
Photographs appearing in this book are reprinted courtesy of Christofer Autio, Lar Autio, Rudy
Autio, Jaap Borgers, Bill Brown, Dave DonTigny, L.H. Jones, Louana M. Lackey, Hiromu Narita,
Joan K. Prior, Bruce S. Rose, Roger Schreiber, and Howard Skaggs.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-PublicationD ata
Lackey, Louana M. (Louana Mae), 1926-
Rudy Autio / by Louana M. Lackey ; with foreword by Peter Voulkos.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-57498-1 44-7
1. Autio, Rudy, 1925- 2. Potters--United States--Biography. 3. Autio, Rudy,
1925---Catalogs. 4. Ceramic sculpture, American--20th century--Catalogs. I. Autio,
Rudy, 1925- 11. Title.
NK4210.A93 L33 2002
730’ .92--dc2 1
[BI
2002019766
For more information on ordering titles published by The American Ceramic Society or to request a
publications catalog, please call [phone] or visit our online bookstore at
<www.c eramics.o rg>.
Dedication
To Frederick R. Matson, who introduced me to ceramic studies
as an undergraduate, guided me through the pitfalls of graduate
school, saw me through to the successful completion of my
dissertation, and graciously continues in his role of mentor.
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Contents
Foreword by Peter Voulkos ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xiv
Becoming an Artist I
At the Archie Bray
21
Teaching and Making Art in Missoula
47
An Artist Abroad
79
In the Studio
103
More Time for Art
127
Plates
151
Chronology 247
Appendix 249
Bibliography 255
Index 259
Rudy and Pete, New Jersey, 2000.
I Know Rudy
eing in Rudy Autio’s presence is to experience the
greatness and humbleness we all seek. The time we’ve
spent together is extraordinary, to put it mildly.
Rudy and I have been friends and colleagues for fifty-five years.
Rudy’s vastly diverse talents, enhanced at times by his wife Lela’s
remarks, amazed all. From the beginning we had a lot in common;
we had clay, music, guitars, art, Montana, immigrant parents, new
families, no money, military service, the G.I. Bill, athlete’s foot, and
a passion for making stuff.
At the Archie Bray we also had the chance to collaborate and
build something together. We were the ”Kids,” according to Archie.
He called what Rudy made ”horses and babes,” and what 1 made
”ribs, guts, and belly buttons.” We were a good influence on each
other. We had give and take.
Rudy is the consummate artist. I am constantly astounded and
jealous. He can paint, draw, sculpt, and play the accordion; he’s a
real renaissance guy. Our relationship has taught me a world of
ideas. I respect Rudy as one of the finest artists and teachers, and
hold him as my best friend.
-Peter Voulkos
IX