Born in Nowy Sącz, 1927. In 1949–1954, student of Eugeniusz Geppert and Stanisław Dawski at the National Higher School of Fine Arts in Wrocław.
From his graduation in 1954 until retirement in 2001 he shaped the artistic sensitivity of many generations of students at his alma mater.
In 1956 he founded Grupa X and in 1961 co-founded Szkoła Wrocławska (since 1967 known as Grupa Wrocławska), which brought together artists from different generations. Highly acclaimed teacher and artist, as confirmed by the City of Wrocław Award (1969), Wrocław Editors’ Award (1989), Silesian Cultural Award (2002) and Gloria Artis Gold Medal for Distinguished Artist (2005).
Józef Hałas is a painter and outstanding graphic artist, author of many gouaches and watercolours. Master of brevity, synthesis and colour. His work derives from observing nature, but is far from its realistic depiction. He synthesizes shapes and introduces geometric order by building compositions of large, textured surfaces that are often almost monochromatic. One of the chief motifs of his work in various periods is The Mountain, a recollection of the landscape around Nowy Sącz reduced to an almost abstract sign. His other major series include Figures, Verticals and Diagonals, Pocket Gouaches.
He has participated in more than 300 solo exhibitions. His works can be found in museums and private collections, with some of the latter (Study 31, Margaret House) also loaned to museums. The largest and most versatile collection of his works is owned by the National Museum in Wrocław.