Kendell-Kerwin

Originally from the Caribbean - Trinidad & Tobago, my family and I came to New York towards the end of the 1980’s. My grandmother was there already, then she sent for her three daughters - one being my mother. And like so many from the Caribbean we settled in South Brooklyn (Ditmas Park area). In those early days drawing & illustration was the beginning for me. Cartoon characters from Disney were some of my favorites, along with American comic books. If someone had said I would one day work in film photography and digital I wouldn’t have believed it.

In late Summer of 2009, I began studying the basics of film photography, moving into digital by 2011. I spent time photographing various neighborhoods in Brooklyn, creative events of my fellow artists and musicians. Urban photography is the crux of my portfolio and the largest section of my creative work so far. Having lived in New York City since 1987 urban life has transformed my perceptions, while creating a foundation for my art. Photography as an art-form presents just an idea; perception is reality. 

By 2014 I started observing street art from various artists (Dee Dee and Dain being two favorites) while working for a courier service based in Manhattan - A plus couriers/Downtown delivery service. The style and content of these images brought on sensations that would produce new ideas. I started photographing parts of torn and defaced advertisements, textures, colors, patterns from different buildings, then splicing them together in photoshop with digital photos I had taken of people I knew. These images would become my digital-art series Simulacra and Modern Portraits. Later on, I created new digital art using only my photos of colors, textures, patterns and forms (these are in the section called Digital Art).

My photography deals with composition, framing, patterns, and balance. Within a primarily linear, industrialized, increasingly techno-centric society, I seek to capture its spirit during my lifetime. The unintended aspects of our postmodern life permeate much of the photographs creating a seemingly alternate reality. Nature and people also occupy a sizable portion of my creative interest, rounding out the body of my work.  Although it’s always been akin to a documentary approach, my photography is infused with a cinematic touch. The focus of this is the framing of each moment outside of its general context. Recontextualized silent stories to cut through inertia, ignorance and apathy lurking throughout our urban environment. Therefore, it is my desire, if not my duty, to visually communicate with those of you out there.

A naturally gifted artist, he’s had solo and group exhibitions in New York, Skopje and Bitola. His photographs have been published in the U.S, North Macedonia and Spain. Kerwin’s artwork is currently represented by FiveMyles gallery in New York City. If you would like to see my full resume (CV), please contact me: Contact

Cameras used: Since 2016 I’ve used a Nikon D5300 DSLR as my go-to-camera. Its technical aspects are far superior to my former camera - Fuji-film S2950 (used between 2011 - to early 2016). I also use a Canon Powershot ELPH 340 HS for alternative shots and as a backup camera.

Photography is a visual, mental and emotional craft; more than images of streets, people and iconic locations. It’s the little things...moments you feel that become something you want to share. How deep is the digital ocean, to a bird of paradise?

Immersed in all this passing beauty we cannot be forsaken. Photography as an artform presents just an idea; perception is reality. It’s a visual, mental and emotional craft, more than images of streets, people and iconic locations. It’s the little things...moments you feel that become something you want to share.