Monarch Artist Feature: Joe Autry

By Kelsey Knott • Photos By Matt Johnson

If you’ve made it out to the Monarch for a show, you’ve already been surrounded by Joe Autry’s work. A visual artist with sculptures spanning from the Highlands to Latvia, Autry brings life and spirit to the places giving him the space to create.

When asked about his art, Autry says, “It’s in my DNA, my blood.” His long-lost grandfather had a similar skill set and the ability to create and fix anything. At his other grandparents' home, his uncle had a wood-carving room that contributed to his early interest. “When my uncle finished a piece, everybody in the family would go wild over who was getting it. He wouldn’t sell his work. It became a part of my subconscious.” Supporters outside of his family blazed his path as well, from family friends offering found materials to his high school art teacher connecting him to a bronze sculpture mentor at age 17. “That was my first taste that art can be a spiritual practice.”

During the 2009 ice storm, the fallen trees were a revelation leading him back to wood carving, inspiring sculptures carved by chainsaw at a low point in his life–one tree the first year, a 30-foot tree the next, five trees the third year, and nine trees the fourth. Alongside his artist path was his encounter with yoga practice, healing some internal suffering after much loss. He even taught yoga for years, traveling to India to study it.

His latest work is healing and uplifting in nature, creating a sense of wonder for the viewer. The energy he brings to the studio is unrushed and trust-based, keeping clients satisfied and forming the most prolific work in the city. “That’s the thing that keeps me wanting to do it. They trust me, and I trust the process–starting the journey into the unknown. It works out a hundred percent of the time.” His versatility of materials to manipulate keeps all avenues to expression open. Bronze, wood, chainsaw carving, marble, granite, metal, and ice have all found their way to his hands. “I like exploring all materials. All have their own dialogue and set of tools to be used.”

Traveling internationally has been critical in honing his craft and learning from other sculptors. His interest in ice sculpture landed him in Perm, Russia, a sister city, after carving for friends’ parties and fundraisers. “The universe started throwing crazy stuff at me–I didn’t even really have the right tools or clothes and I’d never been out of the country. I was carving with the greats and was underprepared, but they invited me back after practicing for a year, and I ended up winning a spirit award. I started getting invited all over the world to create through this network of sculptors.” In Japan, he teamed up with a Russian friend for a snow sculpture competition, winning first place in their first year and becoming the first ever American-Russian duo to win. In Germany, an indoor ice sculpting event near a cruise port exposed his work to those moving along the Baltic Sea. With an evolving perspective through travel, Autry has sculpted full-time for almost two decades.

A Portland native with a Corydon upbringing, Autry confirms that “Louisville is the secret center of the universe.” A river town where everything’s on the move and carries the spirit of Muhammad Ali, he doesn’t doubt that there’s something in the ether here, filled with people wanting to do interesting things. “It’s not hard for me to be inspired, because I just think this life is a miracle. Once I realized this was my gift, I got pretty hungry to do it.” Autry gives flowers to Barney Bright, Billy Hirst, and Julius Friedman, who paved the way before him.

Autry believes that our culture benefits from everyone finding and doing their thing, striving for their best, and he hopes his work inspires this in others. “We have to take time for ourselves, to be ourselves and explore what we’re good at because I think all of us have an internal calling.” Outside of art, Autry’s two daughters and wife fuel his sense of purpose. “My family is my unit of sanctuary, my nucleus.” His wife is developing a Montessori forest school, earning him the school handyman role, nodding to his past practical jobs in remodeling, painting, tile and masonry work.

Head to the Monarch in the next couple of months to see Autry’s new series highlighting other artists and art institutions in our city hanging up, and find more of him on Instagram @autryjoe.