“His friends called him the “Finnish Buddha,” an affectionate term expressing their deep admiration for one of the icons of the American ceramic field. The son of Finnish immigrants, Autio stayed close to his Montana origins, teaching and working in Missoula, MT until his death. With his close friend Peter Voulkos he was one of the founding artists of the Archie Bray Foundation, serving as its director for a time and continuing to support its mission. He is best known for his ceramic vessels, sensuous and voluptuous, with figures and images that wind and weave around the piece decorated with gloriously rich colors. American Crafts Magazine stated that : “If Peter Voulkos has been considered the Picasso of the American sculptural ceramics movement, then Rudy Autio is its Matisse.” In addition to the ceramics, Autio has done commissions for tile and ceramic relief murals; worked in bronze, concrete, glass, metal, and fiber; and continued with his love of drawing. He has been recognized with numerous awards and the inclusion of his work in many prestigious collections.

-Arizona State Univeristy Art Museums