Peter Tertzakian’s CV would indicate he’s a man of science, but he’s as much a man of art. 

As a respected voice on the business of energy, Tertzakian has dedicated his career to the subject, especially macroeconomics and investment analysis. But he’s also a storyteller at heart, applying his analytical lens to his artistic practice—and vice versa. In his words, “A picture is worth a thousand spreadsheets.” 

Tertzakian has always used creative mediums to illustrate and amplify energy's complex narratives. He is the author of several books, including international bestsellers and an anthology of creative nonfiction exploring our energy past, present, and future. He’s also an avid energy tourist, photographing the ways societies around the world supply and consume their energy. 

As a lifelong art history enthusiast, Tertzakian is attracted to periods of creative disruption, such as the pop art movement. His first show—Those Who Have Seen the Invention Pronounce It Wonderful: A Modernist View of the History of Light—applied the iconic treatment to light bulbs, revealing the innovation and disruption in lighting’s form and function over the decades. The exhibition ran at Elevation Gallery in Canmore and at Heritage Park in Calgary in 2023 and 2024. 

Peter’s art is available through the Peter Tertzakian Gallery, a space that encourages people to think critically and creatively about both the business and art of energy. The gallery’s current show—Persistence, Obsolescence and Renewal: A Visual Inquiry Into the Lifecycle of Energy Infrastructure—presents a body of work that has been in the making since 2016. Through this exhibition, Tertzakian asks us to reconsider the lifecycle of technology, not only what we build, but what we discard, and what we might choose to revive. The exhibition suggests that the key to navigating energy transformations may lie in our ability to persevere, adapt, and innovate. 

Current exhibition 

Persistence, Obsolescence and Renewal: A Visual Inquiry Into the Lifecycle of Energy Infrastructure 

Peter Tertzakian Gallery, located inside Elevation Gallery 

#106 75 Dyrgas Gate, Three Sisters Mountain Village, Canmore, AB 

Monday–Sunday, 11:00 am–5:00 pm