Rudy Autio

by Louana M, Lackey PhD.

Foreword by Peter Voulkos

The American Ceramic Society Man/02
ISNB [-57498-144-7

277 pg 150 colour photos

Hardcover $6503

When we attend artists’ lectures, it is to
discower the artists themselves as much as
it is to know their work, This publication
on the life and ant of Rudy Autio traces the
odyssey of this comemporary ceramic
master across his creative as well as per-
sonal history, giving the reader a well-
rounded profile of the artist and the man.

The book begins with Autio's Finnish
parents emigrating to the United States,
Following a brief introduction to his hum-
ble beginnings, author Louana Lackey lays
cut details such as childhood school pho-
tos and anecdes, to commentaries on
Autio’s extensive travels, with family in
tow, throughout Europe and the Linited
States,

Book Review

Following # biographical start,
the book soon focuses on the art-
ist's ceramic work. However, be-
cause Auto is such a versatile
artist, much of this section 1s
shared with other media. Bronze
casting, designing fortapestry and
computerized drawing are just a
few of the many areas Rudy
Auto's talents have explored.
And this is partly what gives the

From the Opening pages
in “Becoming an Aft
ist” to “At the Archie
Hray” and then “The
Artist Abroad’, the book
reads like a novel. We
are then brought to “In
the Studio” where we
encounter Awutio, the
ceramist. “Rudy's

forkshop Secrets” is

book its dynamic feel. We are led

from black and white family photos set in
the stark environment of depression era
Butte, Montana, to the bright eclectic im-
ages in the photo gallery of Autio's ce-
ramic sculpture.

The layout of the book seems to parallel
the life of the artist in its progression from
conservative to cutting edge. In fact, the
last 95 pages are photographs of the ari-
ists’ most recent work of wildly colourful
bexties and horses intertwined over undu-
lating ceramic forms, This section alone
makes the book worthwhile.

where the author has
chosen to leave us af the end of the book.
In this section are Clay Recipes for Sculp-
ture, Handbuilding Tips and Computer-
ized Firing: The Electne Kiln. This chos-
ing chapter gives us colourant combina-
tions and recipes for cone § slips and
glazes, as well as application tips for col-
our development. All in all. Louana Lack-
ey's profile of Rudy Autio is as complete
as we could hope to find; it is enjoyable
reading, functions as a resource and is
wiskeully stinmulating to boat.

Rachelle Chinnery

VANCOUVER ISLAND POTTERY

WAREHOUSE INC.

Serving your pottery needs on the Island.

We have years of experience to help answer your pottery
questions and satisfy your visions. Drop in or call.
Remember new products arrive weekly. Scott and Brendan

Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10-5 Saturday 10-3

Find us ten minutes south of Nanaimo. Take the Morden Road turnoff and turn right on Wellington Road.

#5 - 2071 S Wellington Road, Nanaimo, BC

Ph/Fax: 250.716.9966 Toll Free 1.877.716.9966

May 2002

Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter