About

Halina Montrey (alias Hali Rey) is a visual artist, animator and professional engineer. She earned master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, Poland and University of Calgary, Canada. She also did postgraduate studies in biomechanics and human anatomy in the faculties of Engineering and Medicine at the University of Calgary. There she performed research involving mathematical modeling of the human body, an experience that started her gradual transition to fine arts. She engaged in life drawing sessions, which have since constituted the backbone of her art practice, and furthered her knowledge of fine arts through studies at the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary and the Visual Arts Centre in Montreal.

Hali Rey creates in various media, both traditional and digital. She draws and paints in ink, watercolors, acrylics and oils, and creates prints, mainly intaglio with chine-collé. Her works include conceptual pieces in two and three dimensions, poetic texts, and narrative painting series. She is also interested in motion graphics and animation, and she has been working in partnership with contemporary composers on multimedia projects.

She is deeply interested in the newest developments in science and technology, especially in how they relate to human existence. Her works often relate to philosophical questions, and read as unexpected, disquieting or paradoxical.

Hali Rey has participated in exhibitions and multimedia performances in North America, Europe and Australia. Her work is in collections on these continents.