Ekke Kleima became a member of the Groninger Ploeg in 1926. Although his ties to the artist's society were not as close after five years he stayed in touch with Jan Altink, Jan Wiegers, Hendrik Werkman and Job Hansen. The latter designed a house for Kleima, which he moved into in 1930. Although the artist mainly painted landscapes, he also painted still lifes, portraits and nudes, initially in an expressionist and later in a more impressionist style. In the 1930s and 1940s, Kleima also produced sculptures, some in terracotta but most in wood. He also made prints for a time. In 1950, he and Jan Jordens and Jan van der Zee founded the artist's society Het Narrenschip. Kleima also exhibited abroad from time to time.