I launched my art brand at the end of 2019 – and within months, the world shut down. With lockdowns delaying any opportunity to show my work in person, it wasn’t until December 2020 that I was finally able to exhibit my paintings for the first time.
When that moment came, I didn’t wait for an invitation. I created my own exhibition. Listen to me tell the story below.
My first show, “Lights, Canvas, Action”, took place at The Forum in my hometown of Norwich. After spotting an advert for venue hire, I began a conversation with the team and quickly realised the space offered the scale and visibility needed to present the work properly.
Due to the pandemic, availability was unusually high and hire rates were more accessible – a rare window of opportunity that allowed me to transform an idea into a fully realised exhibition. Rather than seeing the uncertainty of that period as a barrier, I chose to treat it as a moment to act decisively.
From there, I planned and managed every detail independently. I mapped out the layout, considered sightlines and visitor flow, selected the pieces that would work best together, and developed a cinematic “Hollywood-inspired” theme to unify the collection. The goal was not simply to hang paintings on a wall, but to create an environment that felt intentional and immersive.
Seeing the work displayed publicly for the first time was a defining milestone – one that validated the months of preparation and reinforced my belief in building opportunities rather than waiting for them.
Since that debut show, exhibiting has become a core part of how I operate as an artist. My approach has been grounded in experimentation and continuous refinement – testing different venues, locations and audiences while learning what resonates most strongly.
Each exhibition builds on the last. Over time, I’ve streamlined the logistics behind planning and installation, strengthened the marketing that supports each event, and developed a clearer understanding of how presentation shapes the way artwork is experienced.
Just as importantly, these exhibitions have allowed me to think beyond the paintings themselves and consider the broader environment around them – how space, lighting, and layout contribute to the overall impact.
While my art business has always had a strong online foundation, in-person exhibitions remain essential. They give people the chance to experience the texture, scale, and energy of the paintings in a way that simply cannot be replicated on a screen.
Exhibitions also build credibility. They demonstrate that there is a real artist behind the work and provide valuable opportunities to capture photography, video, and social proof that continue to support the brand long after the event ends.
For many collectors, encountering artwork in person creates a deeper and more lasting connection – one that often begins in the physical space and continues online.
Looking back, that first exhibition wasn’t just about getting my paintings on a wall. It established the mindset that continues to guide my work today: operate independently, think strategically, and keep building forward with each new opportunity.
To explore my exhibitions and view photography from shows across the UK, to New York and Tokyo, visit bykerwin.com/exhibitions.
Discover more about how I built my art business and brand in my dedicated blog section here.
My full range of Jackson Pollock-inspired acrylic paintings can be viewed at bykerwin.com – the originals and prints of these are available to purchase, with worldwide delivery. You can follow my art progress on Instagram and Facebook.
