Kelli Rey, working from her studio in Winnipeg, is an innovative artist recognized for her bold, distinctive pottery. She enjoys incorporating elements that may surprise, puzzle or amuse. Influenced by early to mid-20th century design, Kelli’s work is defined by vibrant colours and a playful, inventive spirit.

Her current creative process blends a variety of techniques: carving imagery directly into clay, layering glazes, and applying liquid clay in an expressive, painterly manner. She also flicks thick, syrupy slips onto her pieces to create lively, gestural lines. For intricate reliefs, Kelli carves designs like birds and foliage into plaster blocks, then presses coloured clay into the carvings. The resulting reliefs are popped out and applied to the pottery. Additionally, Kelli makes and mixes her own clay confetti, which she rolls into slabs of clay or scatters onto her pieces, adding texture and a dynamic, lively quality to her work.