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From the word tomt, meaning ‘homestead,’ the tomte is a mythical creature responsible for the care and prosperity of a farm or family, often associated with winter solstice and the Christmas season. Popularized in 19th century Nordic literature, folklore duties of the tomte include the protection and welfare of the farmstead. The tomte’s mischievous behavior and whimsical personality bring light into the darkest times of year.
Since 2011, the tomte have chronicled annual adventures and memories through my photographs, reflecting the cheer, joy, triumph, and sentiment of family and home.
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This COLLECTOR’S EDITION of The Tomte: Years 1-13 by R. J. Kern debuted at the Veronique Wantz Gallery in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 8, 2024.
The artist produced a portfolio of 30 prints to mark and celebrate the thirteenth year of the project.
Each COLLECTOR’S EDITION contains 30 archival pigment prints, each sized 10 x 10 inches in a clamshell box sized 11 x 11.5 x 2.75 inches made by the artist in Minneapolis. The clamshell box features a tipped-in cover image printed in Hahnemühle photo Rag metallic inkjet (340 gsm) paper. The photographs were printed by R. J. Kern on Canson Infinity Arches 88 ultrasmooth (310 gsm) paper with Canon 4400 archival inks. Adobe Jenson Pro fonts were used in the text.
The Tomte: Year 1-13 is an edition of thirteen copies: ten numbered copies 1-10, two copies noted AP1 and AP2 for the arist, and one hors commerce copy — each signed by the artist.
