By Holly Thorne-Wiebe
An artistic collaboration between father and daughter has transformed the gallery space at The Gardens on Tenth in Altona into a celebration of colour, creativity, and connection.
The joint exhibit by Terry and Olivia Klippenstein, on display until the end of December, showcases two distinct yet complementary artistic visions—his grounded in texture and nostalgia, hers in imagination and play.
Terry Klippenstein (above) and daughter Olivia (on the title) in front of a few of their pieces now on display at The Gardens on Tenth in Altona
For Terry, a photographer with a love of the overlooked and time-worn, inspiration often comes from the everyday. His close up shots of fruits and vegetables—including a tomato stem that first caught his eye—have evolved into a series of abstract images that challenge the viewer to look twice.
“You may not know exactly what it is when you first look at it,” he said. “I like that bit of mystery. Once people take a closer look and realize it’s a melon or a tomato, they often say ‘I’ve seen that!’ It helps them appreciate the colours and textures they might otherwise miss.”
His other works, including studies of weathered farm machinery from the Pembina Thresherman’s Museum, tap into his appreciation for craftsmanship and the beauty of age.
“Those implements stood out in the weather for decades,” Terry said. “That’s what gives them their patina. I’m drawn to the contrast of metal and wood, the way time changes both.”
Olivia’s paintings, by contrast, invite viewers into miniature worlds of whimsy. Her piece Pleasantville, for example, imagines a community of colourful, character-filled homes, but without people.
“I like to focus on the houses themselves,” she explained. “It’s about creating a sense of community and warmth. I’d like to live there, to jump right in.”
Her ink and watercolour works often begin with spontaneity.
“I start with the colour first,” she said. “Watercolour doesn’t allow much control, and I’m a perfectionist. So it helps me let go, to be playful. I just follow what the paint does on the page.”
The resulting pieces are dreamlike and open to interpretation, each one inviting the viewer to imagine their own story.
“Sometimes people see something completely different than I do,” Olivia said with a smile. “That’s part of the fun.”
Though their styles differ—Terry is bold and tactile, Olivia is delicate and whimsical—the contrast is what makes the exhibit work.
“We thought the difference would keep people’s interest as they walk down the hall,” Terry said. “You might see one of Olivia’s miniature worlds and then turn to find an exploding melon. We like how they played off each other.”
The two share a deep creative bond that has developed over years of artistic exploration together.
“We’ll go to the Thresherman’s Museum … he’ll wander around taking photos, and I’ll sit and sketch,” Olivia said. “It’s deliberate creative time that we both value.”
Their collaboration extends beyond shared inspiration. The pair hopes to eventually merge their mediums into a single piece, Terry’s photography printed on watercolour paper with Olivia sketching or painting directly overtop of it.
“We’d have to find the right materials,” Terry said. “But it’s something we’d love to try.”
The exhibit also carries a personal dedication. Olivia’s grandfather, who lived at The Gardens for a decade before his passing in July, was an avid photographer and enthusiastic supporter of their work.
“He loved taking pictures,” she said. “The piece I’m most proud of was the last one I got to show him. His encouragement and joy really inspire me.”
Terry added that his late father shared his own fascination with tomatoes, a fitting connection given his photographic series.
“He even had an Instagram account,” he said, laughing. “His nickname was Tomato Man. He loved growing them, eating them, everything about them. One of my tomato photos feels like a little tribute to him.”
For both artists, the exhibit is about connection, between generations, between mediums, and between artist and audience.
“I hope people feel a sense of nostalgia,” Terry said. “Whether it’s the old machinery or the produce, they might recognize something from their own lives.”
Olivia hopes visitors will experience “a little escapism. It’s about stepping outside your day and imagining another world for a moment.”
