Featured Work

It's the People {Commission}

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I’m excited to be a part of Hennepin Theatre Trust's #ItsThePeople 2023 in collaboration with Minnesota Tamil Sangam, celebrating those who represent our city in motion. This Public Art project, made in collaboration with highlights members of our community in the theme of “Network of Mutuality.” The “It’s the People” portraits will be displayed on billboards and large-scale banners across Minneapolis through June 2024. Special thanks to Brooke Robison and Mary Jane Mansfield, Tanya Gravening and staff @HennepinTheatreTrust for their support.

In this portrait, R. J. highlights the work of 14 performing artists from the Minnesota Tamil Sangam organization who keep Tamil arts, culture and heritage from Southern India and Sri Lanka alive in Minnesota. The artists celebrated in the portrait are Aditya Nandhiyar, Kamatchi Sureshkumar, Manigandan Jayaraman, Nirmal Sundhar, Prasanna Gajavarathan, Rohini Balamurugan, Sanjay Govindasamy, Saravanan Durairajan, Shanker Narayan, Tamil Kadir Rajavel, Trisha Sebastin, Velmurugan Marimuthu, Vijaya manikandan Mohana Vijayan and Vijayalakshmi Sridhar. This photograph was inspired by "the inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny” metaphor shared by Martin Luther King Jr. Blue fabric connects each artist, flowing like a river of color and honoring “wakpa,” the Dakota word for “river.” Traditional Tamil community performances occur by the river edge, and flowing blue fabric remains meaningful and symbolic.

Minnesota Tamil Sangam, installation view on Hennepin Ave / 9th Ave in Minneapolis by R. J. Kern, 2023

Manigandan Jayaraman showcasing Therukkoothu art form depicting Tamil king, Kaari.

Installation view on Hennepin Ave / 9th Ave in Minneapolis by R. J. Kern, 2023



Sauk Rapids Herald & Benton County News {feature}

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Tim Hennagir profiled my work in his article, "Award-winning photographer keeps Benton County Fair in focus,” in the Sauk Rapids Herald & Benton County News on July 25, 2023. Photos b Natasha Barber. Special thanks to Benton County Agricultural Society president Ted Prom and Mary Otsby, Executive Director, Benton County Historical Society for their support. The fair acquired a signed 20 x 24 inch print, Santa on Vacation, Benton County Fair, Minnesota, 2022, from the project The Last Fair.

Santa on Vacation, Benton County Fair, Minnesota, 2022

Preview of New Work

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I mentioned to several friends this week the importance of showing ACTUAL artwork, with the object framed, hanging on a wall. I chose to hold my photograph. The sense of scale of my hands gives the viewer a glimpse into output decisions made by the artist…. aka, how the object is presented. The installation view offers a potential ‘collector’ precise information for what they might expect to see hang on their wall… the size of the mat (4”), the type of glazing (museum glass), frame (simple white), etc.

Big Bird’s Tricycle, Redwood County Fair, Minnesota, 2022, archival pigment print, Ed of 10 + 2AP, 29 x 33 inches framed

This print heads to a new home at the Redwood County Fair, looking sharp thanks to Jim Ross at Ross Frame shop, Minneapolis. He does great framing, reasonable prices, local. I pay him a little extra to paint the corners of the frame. I much prefer “closed corner frames” which do not have four diagonal lines in each corner which I find distracting. Art is 90% presentation. Most never pick up on those details.

Now, to the artwork. Last summer, I began setting up large-scale photographs with 4-H kids, animals, and symbols of Americana— a typical county fair with carnival rides, food booths.. the stuff kids love, all over-priced, unnecessary, yet joy-filled for the kid at heart. I wasn’t sure what this effort would become but enjoyed the process. This summer, I’ve up for more like commissions.

Recognize the tricycle? It was the one in the 2014 movie, I am Big Bird, now a fair mainstay. I’ll let Jeff Potter, a long-time county fair supporter, share the story of how it ended up at the fair for another time. He’s been a supporter of my work, even lifted me up on the front of a fork lift to create this photograph.


This work is apart of a new series, The Last Fair. Joy often isn’t fully appreciated until gone.

FotoFest exhibit highlighted by Houston CityBook

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I’m delighted to return to Houston to be apart of the FotoFest Biennial Fine Print Auction Exhibition. Curated by Steven Evans and installed in an open space next to Veronica Beard on Westheimer, the exhibit opens Friday, Sept. 9. After a two-week run, the prints will be auctioned at FotoFest’s gala fundraising event, proceeds going to support the organization’s exhibitions, public programming, professional development programs, and more. This is an organization I love to support.

Thank you Chris Becker Houston CityBook for showcasing my print up for grabs, Taite and Beau, Anoka County, Minnesota, Edition 1/10, 20 x 24 inches.

Details about the Auction here >>

"FotoFest Pops Up at River Oaks District with Eye-Catching Two-Week Exhibit," by Chris Becker, Houston CityBook, August 31, 2022, features work by R. J. Kern

Homage to Nadar

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Moments after this photograph was created on July 16, 2022, Michael Tauer (right) was declared Supreme Champion Showman at the 2022 Redwood County Fair in Minnesota. This was the last year of 4-H showing for the family, a bittersweet experience, according to Michael’s mother, Kris. Left to right: Morgan, Jeff, Kris and Michael Tauer.

The photograph was published recently in the exhibition, Time, juried by Michael Behlen, and featured in Analog Forever magazine (online). View the works here >>

This tintype photograph serves as homage to Nadar (Adrien Tournachon, French, 1825 - 1903) who photographed prizewinning animals at the agricultural competitions in the late 1850s, early 1860s. The photographs serve both artists and breeders, as they document fine specimens of horses, cattle, etc.

"The Tauer Family, Redwood County Fair, July 16, 2022" by R. J. Kern. Unique tintype, 8 x 10 inches, 2022.

Shangtuf Photography TV Photo Talk (China)

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Shangtuf Creative Photo Talk hosted by Guo Jing, streamed May 2nd, 2022, with Michael Pritchard, Leslie Sheryll, and Owen Harvey. (Mandarin Chinese translated)

This video is edited from a recording of the Shangtuf Creative Photo Talk streamed on May 2nd, 2022. In this episode, a panel of expert and photographers share their experience on International Photography Exhibition by Royal Photographic Society, including Dr. Michael Pritchard, Programms Director of the Royal Photographic Society, R. J. Kern, a photo artist from the United States, Leslie Sheryll, a visual artist from the United States, and Owen Harvey, a photo artist from the United Kingdom.

Artist talk with Alison Nordström and R. J. Kern

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As part of the International Photography Festival of Castilla y León (Palencia, Spain). Alison Nordström and I shared in a virtual conversation in April 2022. We spoke about The Unchosen Ones project, my roots as a photographer, and what’s next for the creative project. Special thank you to Anne Morin for her support, as well as the Century Foundation for Tourism and the Arts of Castile and León. More information: www.fifcyl.com/en

BookEnds Online Edition - Wadena County Historical Society

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On March 12, join me for BookEnds Online Edition, a book talk sponsored by the Wadena County Historical Society in collaboration with the New York Mills Cultural and Historical Center and the Five Wings Art Council. The goal: a monthly literary event connecting readers and writers. I enjoyed the Q&A engagement with those who joined us. Special thank you to Lina Belar for inviting me to be apart of this wonderful group supporting my creative practice. We enjoyed an hour-long conversation, and you may listen in to our conversation, available below.

BookEnds Online Edition, a virtual book talk recording with R. J. Kern, The Unchosen Ones book, Wadena County Historical Society in collaboration with the New York Mills Cultural and Historical Center and the Five Wings Art Council. Recorded: March 12, 2022.