Featured Work
"We Tamed Animals—But How Have They Shaped Us?” by Coralie Kraft on Lensculture on May 10, 2018 >>
Writes Coralie Kraft: "Unlike many wildlife photographers who focus on the devastating human impact on the natural world, Kern’s work offers a different, but no less significant, thesis: how have humans shaped and molded these creatures over centuries, and how have these animals impacted our development in turn? "
Aline Smithson features "The Unchosen Ones" book and project along with an interview on April 27, 2018. In the article, I share tips on navigating the fine art waters, lessons I’ve learned, perspectives into my working process, what I learned from my subjects, why I decided to self-publish, what a perfect day looks like and more!
Aline Smithson reviews reviews "The Unchosen Ones" book along with an interview with R. J. Kern.
Suzanne Révy reviewed three recently published photography books exploring relationships between humans and animals: The Sheep and the Goats by R.J. Kern, The Shepherd’s Daughter by Clare Benson, and Amelia and the Animals by Robin Schwartz. This is the first official review of my monograph published by Kehrer Verlag and I am honored to be featured along with the work of two accomplished artists, Clare Benson and Robin Schwartz!
Click here to read the review on What Will You Remember published on March 27, 2018 >>
Suzanne Révy reviews The Sheep and the Goats by R.J. Kern, The Shepherd’s Daughter by Clare Benson, and Amelia and the Animals by Robin Schwartz.
David Walker shares my journey in the January 2018 issue of PDN in his article, "R. J. Kern Segues from Weddings to Fine Art." He highlights the importance of mentors such as David Hobby, Joe McNally, Stuart Klipper, David Bram, and Martine Fougeron. Thank you, Mr. Walker!
Featured in Photo District News, January 2018. Featured photographs include "Attack of the Clones" created in Germany and "Mr. Hofsos" created in Iceland.
He writes, "First-place recipient of the Curator’s Choice Award, U.S. photographer R.J. Kern, offers a glimpse into a small subset of society in his series The Unchosen Ones, featuring the children and young adults from farming families who participate in animal contests at Minnesota county fairs, showing off their prized sheep and goats. Kern’s subjects are not the winners at these fairs. They are the losers, whose animals, which have names like Annabell, Hootie, and Doolittle, won no ribbons. In this context, the images seem to take on a deeper resonance, perhaps reflecting the dwindling lifeways of small, family-owned farms in the age of industrial agriculture, a way of life where strong bonds between children and animals may still be of some value. Although a few of Kern’s subjects appear disheartened, there is a sense of pride that comes through several portraits, which transcend categories such as “winner” and “loser.” Kern’s photographs reflect the subjects’ essential characters, deeming them all worthy of attention."
Aline Smithson features my work in Lenscratch on November 22, 2017 >>
I've always enjoyed reading Lenscratch and appreciate her effort to showcase emerging photographer's work. We met at Photolucida and CLICK120 last month and I always wish I had more time with her. She's also a talented photographer, too. I enjoy her work on my wall at the studio.
Bill Knight reviews highlights from the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, London (November 16, 2017 to February 8, 2018) and published work from The Unchosen Ones project.
"Mr. Hofsós, Skagafjardarsysla, Iceland" along with nine other images from the project Divine Animals: The Bovidae promote my new book, "The Sheep and the Goats" by Kehrer Verlag. Thank you for the exposure, PDN!
Big dream come true (more about it on my blogsite here)! National Geographic features work from the series The Unchosen Ones and Out to Pasture in the November 2017 issue.
I received my Oct 2017 issue of the Royal Photographic Society Journal (Oct 2017) today featuring my work along with a embossed certificate and medal (a real silver medal!!!). The RPS Journal has been published since 1853 and is the oldest continuously published photographic periodical in the world... such a rich tradition. Thank you jurors and the folks at RPS!
"Portraiture dominates the world's longest-running photography competition" as described by the BBC on October 4, 2017 as part of the The 2017 Royal Photographic Society competition >>
In June 2017, my work was exhitibited at the Museum of Modern Art in Tbilisi, Georgia curated by Tina Schelhorn who I met at Photolucida '17. Also included in the show are fellow US photographers Carole Erb and Henry Hornstein.
The work was published in the July 2017 issue of the German magazine, FotoMagazin, with an article written by Ralf Hanselle, “Fine Art of the Fauna.”
Star Tribune Arts Writer, Mary Abbe, publishes "Hazel" in print and online >>
PBS Newshour highlighted the story created by Twin Cities PBS as part of the Artist Day Jobs series on August 16, 2016 >>
