Rudy is the consummate artist...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
We are honored to present works from the Collection of Arthur J. Williams (1936–2021), a man who lived a life dedicated to, and surrounded by, the arts.
Williams began his career in the mailroom at CBS before working in production and editing TV advertisements. He founded Editing Concepts Inc. in 1970, of which he became Chairman of the Board, and was instrumental in expanding the company to six divisions all related to the film and video industry. He was a founding member of the Association of Independent Creative Editors and served as its president for a time. Williams’s success in the media world afforded him the freedom to follow his passion for the arts, and he became a respected member of the International Academy of Ceramics (Geneva, Switzerland) and the Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts (Newcastle, Maine). Additionally, he was on the board of the Craft Alliance of the 52nd St. YWCA, where he curated a number of exhibits for the Elsa Mott Gallery, and he conceptualized the Museum of Ceramic Art - New York, an important virtual platform which celebrates the art of ceramics.
“I am a clay addict. My fixes come in big and small, bright and demure and always quench my need temporarily. Or should I call it a sweet tooth that has a constant craving?...As a collector of clay objects, I am at once picky and open to what shares my home. An artwork has to show creativity, sparks of ingenuity and passion.”
A passionate collector and voracious reader, Williams remarked in a 2000 interview: “Educating oneself is the most exciting thing if not the most important aspect of collecting. Without knowledge, you can’t grow.” His genuine curiosity about art led him to acquire a diverse range of works from Chinese Export Ware and Pennsylvania Red Ware to sculptures by Chakaia Booker and contemporary ceramics from artists around the world. He found great joy in seeking out new pieces and in a note from his personal archive, we are given a wonderful glimpse into his thought process as a collector: “I am a clay addict. My fixes come in big and small, bright and demure and always quench my need temporarily. Or should I call it a sweet tooth that has a constant craving?...As a collector of clay objects, I am at once picky and open to what shares my home. An artwork has to show creativity, sparks of ingenuity and passion.” Williams had a prescient eye for art, especially of the clay variety, and assembled what became one of the most important, and comprehensive, contemporary ceramics collections of the present day.
Rudy Autio 1926–2007
Born Arne Rudolph Autio on October 8, 1926, in Butte, Montana, Rudy Autio was an influential American artist whose work significantly contributed to the elevation of ceramics as a fine art form. Growing up in sparsely populated Montana, the majority of Autio’s knowledge about the art world came from books or magazines, as well as after-school art classes taught by artists hired through the Works Progress Administration. He found he was particularly good at drawing and further refined his skills in high school. Autio served in the Navy during World War II and upon returning home, studied at Montana State College (now Montana State University), where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1950. He continued his education at Washington State University, obtaining a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1952.
During his undergraduate studies, Autio met three people who would have a major impact on his life: Frances Senska, who recently joined the faculty and set up a pottery shop on campus, Lela Moniger, his future wife, and Peter Voulkos, who became a close, lifelong friend. In 1952, Autio co-founded the Archie Bray Ceramics Foundation in Helena, Montana, alongside Voulkos. This institution became a pivotal force in the American ceramics movement, fostering a community of ceramic artists and serving as a creative hub for experimentation and growth. Autio's role at the Bray Foundation was instrumental in shaping the direction of contemporary ceramics in the United States.
Autio's work is characterized by its dynamic and expressive forms, often featuring vibrant, painterly surfaces adorned with figural imagery. He frequently drew inspiration from mythology, nature, and the human form, creating pieces that are both whimsical and profound. His unique style blends sculptural and painterly techniques, resulting in works that are both visually striking and deeply evocative. At a time when ceramics were often relegated to the realm of craft, Autio's work demonstrated the medium's potential for artistic expression and innovation. His pieces are notable for their complex forms, intricate surface treatments, and the seamless integration of drawing and sculpture.
Throughout his career, Autio received numerous accolades and honors, including the Tiffany Award in Crafts (1963), the American Ceramic Society Art Award (1978), and a National Endowment grant (1980), Montana Governor’s Award (1981), Fellow of the American Crafts Council, and Honorary member of the National Council of Education in the Ceramic Arts. In 1999, he received the American Craft Council's Gold Medal in 1999, recognizing his lifetime achievements and contributions to the field of ceramics. Additionally, his work has been featured in major exhibitions and is included in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Autio's influence extended beyond his artistic practice; he was also a dedicated educator. He founded the ceramics department at the University of Montana and taught there for nearly three decades, inspiring generations of students with his passion for ceramics and art. Autio relished the task of starting a program from scratch and was invigorated by the challenge, remarking: “I taught everyone who got in my way. Special students, grad students, everybody. It didn't make any difference…I taught them everything I knew, and I never seemed to run out of projects for the students to do. My mind bubbled over.” In his retirement, he traveled around the world, holding various workshops and completing various commissions. Autio was a central figure in the history of contemporary ceramics, on par with his friend and colleague Peter Voulkos, and he continues to be celebrated for his innovative approach to ceramics and his enormous impact on the field as a whole.
