The sweet stories of a photographer and the older man who's become her muse

Ting Ting Chen, a visual artist who has attracted international attention for her highly detailed photographs, has teamed up again with an unlikely muse who has had a large impact on her work. 

Chen, who grew up in China, came to Newfoundand originally as a student, and since then has been developing her artistic career. 

Chen and Robert Tilley, 76, met through a mutual friend in 2017. The pair have travelled around the province together since then.

"We have been almost everywhere in Newfoundland, from the east to the west from the north to south," said Chen. 

"We have an emotional connection because we're good friends in in our life." 

Her latest exhibition, Unveiled Visions: Narratives in Time, opened recently at the Emma Butler Gallery. 

On their travels, Chen discovered her passion for photography. Now, Chen is an award-winning artist and is recognized around the world.

Chen's exhibit features two artworks featuring Tilley, titled Mr. Sweet and The View. 

Mr. Sweet is a photograph of Tilley enjoying a colourful lollipop. 

The inspiration for the piece was Tilley's childhood tale of going on a walk to Bowring Park with a friend. Along the way, they ate an entire bag of Hershey Bells, but when they arrived at the park, they were too sick and had to return home. 

"Robert really likes to eat sweets in his daily life," said Chen. 

The View features Tilley sitting in a chair in his family home in Brigus, staring out the window at the landscape. 

Of the old coveralls that Tilley wears in the photo, he said, "I prefer to wear them till they're rags — that's just my sort of personality." 

As for his role in providing inspiration to an artist, he said, "I think being a muse is like being a friend."