One of Southland's most prolific artists is celebrating 20 years with a solo exhibition in Invercargill.

Danny 'DEOW' Owens exhibition 'D Evolution' is currently on display at the Chiaroni Gallery and showcases Owens unique style of street art as well as portraits and other paintings.

It is his first solo exhibition six years.

Owens said having the anniversary exhibition was an emotional experience.

"It's kind of humbling to think it is 20 years from a tag to a piece of art. I was never an artist and never intended to be an artist. I was always a tagger. And then this whole art thing came about and I thought I didn't want to be an artist and paint in a studio. I want to do some rogue stuff...because of this thing called street art the world has changed and now you can do anything."

Owens with his piece '10,000 tags'. PHOTO: Ben Waterworth

Several pieces on display are unique to the exhibition, with a large graffiti installation taking centre stage in the entrance, as well as a collection of 100 original drawings used to help design several of Owens work over his career and an original installation called '10,000 tags'.

"Like an infant learning to walk, the tag represents the infant stages as a graffiti artist," Owens said. "This was the very start of my art and my name that was to be written on repeat over thousands of surfaces with multiple mark making methods.(It is) an installation of what my studio could look like. A nice table and chair obliterated in tags, the wall the floor covered any object in the studio covered in tags."

Owens said he has been overwhelmed with the response, with many of his pieces on display selling quickly.

Chiaroni Gallery director Greg McDonald said the exhibition has been one of the gallery's most successful.

He said it was no surprise that the exhibition had received the attention it had since opening just over two weeks ago.

"People are already big fans of Danny's work and already know his work and before this show opened they already knew in their minds that they wanted to get something...I think because Danny has built up such a good reputation through all his street art and doing the mural (on the Kelvin Hotel) people want to get a piece of his work."

Owens (left) with Chiaroni Gallery director Greg McDonald. PHOTO: Ben Waterworth

Owens said his next focus was curating another South Sea Spray event in Invercargill early next year, similar to the one he helped put together in Riverton last year.

He also will be painting murals in both Manapouri and Blenheim in the coming months.

'D Evolution' will run into August, with opening times 10am-6pm Wednesday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturday and via appointment Sunday to Tuesday.