I’m honored to be among Photolucida’s Critical Mass 2019 Top 200. The group of fine-art photographers juried in this group celebrates the pursuit of creative photographic excellence while engaging new audiences.
Supreme Champion Chicken Male / Female Pairing, 2018 Minnesota State Fair from the series The Best of the Best. Salt print over archival pigment print, 20 x 24 inch sheet size, Ed of 5 + 2 AP.
The Best of the Best was featured on PDN’s Photo of the Day: "Kern points out that when the contributions of chance are thrown in, animal breeding and photography are endeavors that remind us we are not always in control. For example, two champions do not guarantee champion offspring. And in the game of photography, you don’t always know what is going to happen inside your frame.”
PDN Photo of the Day featuring work by R. J. Kern, Supreme Champion Turkey Male / Female Pair, 2018 Minnesota State Fair from the series The Best of the Best.
On August 18, 2019, the Star Tribune published the feature article, “R. J. Kern photographs 'best' animals for Minnesota State Fair,” by Alicia Eler. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE >>
“When he photographs them, they become significant portraits, almost like archetypes,” said Deborah Ultan, curator at the Gorman Rare Art Book Collection at the University of Minnesota. “R.J. bridges the history of photography with the present, and I think he beautifully does that in a way that is so seamless that you feel like you’re looking at something old and new at the same time. ”
R.J. Kern ‘s “The Best of the Best” features portraits of livestock from the 2018 State Fair made using a 19th-century bronze-tinted salt photo technique in the Star Tribune feature, August 18, 2019.
The COLLECTOR’S EDITIONs of The Sheet and the Goats (Ed 44/50) and The Unchosen Ones (Ed 7/20) was acquired this week by the Minnesota Historical Society in St Paul, MN. Special thanks to Patrick K. Coleman (pictured) and Jennifer Huebscher for their support. This is the first institution in Minnesota to collect either award-winning book projects. The projects were supported in part by the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant (2016, 2018). Images from the projects were featured in National Geographic magazine (November 2017). A solo exhibition of the fine-art portrait series, The Unchosen Ones, opens December 6, 2019 at the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, ND.
Minnesota Historical Society Acquisitions Librarian Patrick K. Coleman (left) and visual artist R. J. Kern (right) display recent acquisitions to the permanent collection. Photo by Lori L. Williamson.
The COLLECTOR’S EDITION of The Best of the Best represents R. J. Kern’s third book project which engages a range of artisans and essayists.
The Francis V. Gorman Rare Art Book Collection at the University of Minnesota Library recently acquired the COLLECTOR’S EDITION of The Best of the Best (Edition 1 of 12) for their permanent collection.
This Minnesota book arts collection consists of art exhibition catalogs, rare artists books, illustrated periodicals (19th century), published sketchbooks from artists and architects, rare monographs, style guides, and zines from the 1500s to the present with focus on 19th-century and the post-1950 avant garde.
I greatly appreciate the enthusiasm and support of curator Deborah Ultan, enthusiastic in the intersection of book arts and photography. In my research for this project, she shared completed works published by the 21st Editions. I found it incredible to hold prints signed by Sally Mann and Cy DeCosse, study clamshell box design of Sheila Metzner’s work, and read colophon details of John Metoyer’s Blood Migration. I am growing to really appreciate the book arts in Minnesota and am proud to be apart of her collection.
The Best of the Best represents my second solo exhibition at Burnet Fine Art & Advisory in Wayzata, Minnesota. The exhibition runs August 8 - 28, 2019 with an opening reception held Thursday, August, 6:00–8:00pm. I will offer an artist talk on Wednesday, August 21, 6:30–8:00pm.
The series coincides with a specially commissioned commemorative artwork for the 2019 Minnesota State Fair. The prints—illustrated with a classic photographic processing including hand-coated salt prints prints over archival pigment prints—marks and celebrates this milestone.
The Best of the Best, salt prints over archival pigment prints, 20 x 24 inches, 2019
With the support of Curator Christine Renc-Carter and the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art Board of Directors, I’m proud to announce a purchase acquisition of the COLLECTOR’S EDITIONs of The Unchosen Ones (Ed 6 of 20) into the permanent collection at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
In addition, the following two prints have been accessioned into the museum’s permanent collection: Josilin and Escapé, Benton County Fair, Minnesota, 2016 from the series The Unchosen Ones and Escapé (pron. es cahp é), Benton County, Minnesota, USA (2016) from the series Out to Pasture.
Writes Renc-Carter, “Your work will be a significant addition to the museum’s collection of contemporary photography and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to embark on new territory to develop our artist book collection.”
Escapé (pron. es cahp é), Benton County, Minnesota, USA from the series Out to Pasture (2016).
Josilin and Escapé, Benton County Fair, Minnesota, 2016 from the series The Unchosen Ones (2016).
This marks the second museum collection in Florida of work from these critically-acclaimed series. The Museum of Fine Arts, St Petersburg acquired work in 2018.
Katy Read highlights the State Fair commemorative piece in today’s Star Tribune, “Portrait of champion livestock is this year's Minnesota State Fair highlighted art.” I appreciated Katy’s interview and feature in print:
Special thanks to Pamela Espeland for sharing the artwork and interview on MinnPost today.
Check out this behind-the-scenes time-lapse of 2019 Minnesota State Fair Official Commemorative Artwork we created. This year's commemorative art is titled "Minnesota State Fair Supreme Champion Pairings from 2018." I appreciate the wonderful support of the staff at the Minnesota State Fair and the opportunity to collaborate with Freestyle Productions to help edit the time-lapse.
Commemorative poster and Minnesota State Fair Foundation prints >>
The commemorative poster and a limited number of signed prints and other merchandise featuring the art are available for purchase at https://www.mnstatefair.org/commemorative-art/, and will also be available during the fair at State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book and State Fair Poster Carts on the fairgrounds. Proceeds will support the Minnesota State Fair Foundation 501(c)(3) mission to preserve and improve State Fair buildings, fairgrounds and educational programs.
Learn more about the commemorative art and the Minnesota State Fair: mnstatefair.org/commemorative-art/
Revolver magazine (April/ May 2019) features 13 photographs featured in The Sheep and the Goats, much of work not previously published. The design and text compliments the work. It was wonderful working with Jimmy Hubbard and I appreciate for the opportunity to collaborate! Hits news stands May 14 >>
Revolver magazine features (April / May 2019) the photographs of R. J. Kern
Three covers for the April/ May 2019 issue to choose from.
I’m proud to be a juror of my first juried exhibition at Lenscratch for a topic near and dear to my heart: the 2019 Ordinary Animals Exhibition. Congratulations to Janet Holmes for being first place winner.
My juror statement:
“Lewis Hine said a wonderful thing a long time ago: “We should be photographing two things. The things that should be put right and the things that should be appreciated.” David Hurn used to have this quote on his wall when he was teaching. When I learned of this, it made me appreciate that a Magnum photographer such as David Hurn didn’t have to be a war photographer to create an important image. There are subjects more on the domestic side that interest me more. Hope, humor, empathy are qualities I value in a photograph.
I kept the Lewis Hine quote in the back of my head when I was reviewing the 100+ submissions for the “Ordinary Creatures” online exhibition on Lenscratch. I realize the challenge of submitting work to juried exhibitions with a single digital file. Yet, I realized that challenge is a good one: we should submit work that becomes a little teaser, beckoning the viewer to see more, ask more questions, and to think. In addition, I wanted the pixels on my laptop screen in front of me to warm my heart. I enjoyed work that was thoughtfully balanced composition and light with a moment. I’m a sucker for long-term, personal projects filled with warmth and humanity. If there was a hint of this I could see in the work, it became a winner in my book.”
Czechoslovakia’s arts & culture magazine, ČILICHILI, published a selection of my work from “The Unchosen Ones” and Divine Animals: The Bovidae” series, in the March 2019 issue.
ČILICHILI magazine feature (March 2019) features the photographs by R. J. Kern.
A two-part series on Fstoppers highlights my work, written by Eli Drefuss:
Four works from my series, The Unchosen Ones, were selected for the 56th Annual Juried Competition Exhibition, juried by Catherine Futter, Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The juried group exhibition at the Masur Museum of Art, Monroe, LA runs Feb 28 – May 11, 2019. Futter’s curatorial statement reads:
This exhibition focused primarily on IDENTITY— how identity is assigned, constructed, fluid, rejected, reclaimed, and embraced. Some works are portraits that represent a sitter’s outward style and convey an inner attitude. Others are more enigmatic, more mysterious. They ask us to question our own identites past, present, and future. How do we see ourselves? How do we want to be seen?
A reception with the juror's talk and prize announcements held Thursday, April 25th, 5:30-7:30pm.
Special thanks to Lindsay Kearney, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions at the Masur Museum of Art, for providing installation photographs of the work. I am honored to have my work exhibited with the participating artists. It has been wonderful to work with her and her team!
Participating Artists:
Elizabeth Abaravich, CA; Abe Abraham, NY; Trenton Brown, GA; Richard Buswell, MT; Paula Campbell, TN; Norm Diamond, TX; M. M. Dupay, OH; Leslie Elliottsmith, LA; Farimah Eshraghi, MA; Amy Faggard, TX; Ashley Gardner, AR; Gale Gibbs, TX; Stephanie Gonzalez, TX; Sarah Granberg, OR; Richard Greene, CA; Crummy Gummy, FL; Gao Hang, TX; Lewinale Havette, GA; Dianne Hebbert, NY; Pato Hebert, CA; Ming Ying Hong, MS; Jennifer Hoskins, SC; Shreepad Joglekar, KS; R. J. Kern, MN; Noelle King, NY; David Knox, LA; Sena Kwon, NY; Joshua Littlefield, MD; Gabi Magaly, TX; A.M. Martens, IL; Andy Mattern, OK; Corinne McAuley, AZ; Daniel Melo, CA; Rebecca Miller, MO; Jason Nelson, LA; Jim Pearson, IL; Sandi Pfeifer, FL; Nikii Berry Richey, TN; Evie Richner, TN; Sharon Shapiro, VA; Annisty Thompson, AL; Chad Thompson, SC; Tonja Torgerson, IN; Rhonda Urdang, AZ; Kevin Vanek, MS; Jiawei Zhao, NY
The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts announced the awards for the 6th International Open Call, juried by Aline Smithson (founder of LENSCRATCH). I am excited and honored to share Kol and Annabell, Anoka County Fair, Minnesota, 2016 from my series, The Unchosen Ones, received second place!
Looking through the names of the 74 photographers selected, I’m proud to be listed with these friends and colleagues. I’ve enjoyed getting to know these artists and their personal projects (and some even swapping prints, including 1st place winner Eric Kunsman for his print, 4th of July, 2014 – Palmyra, NY). The exhibition is on view through Friday, March 15th, 2019 and is free to the public.
Little known fact: I first visited RISD in Providence in 1994 and considered enrolling in their BFA program, as my high school teacher Ricker Winsor graduated there and worked with Harry Callahan). I decided to pursue a liberal arts degree at Colgate University, however, I am excited to exhibit work in the same small town that inspired many great photographers).
I'm honored to announce that I have been commissioned as the first-ever fine-art photographer chosen to create the official MN State Fair art. The MN State Fair Commemorative Art unveiling event will be Thursday, June 6, 2019 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m in St Paul. The original art will be on display in the Fine Arts Center during the 12-day run of the 2019 State Fair (Aug 22 - Sept 2). For more information about the fair’s commemorative art, visit mnstatefair.org/art.
I can’t reveal much about the final artwork , I offer this sneak peek at my working process to create one of my most ambitious commissioned photographs:
Thank you to Pamela Espeland for her announcement in MinnPost linked here >>
“R. J. Kern named 2019 State Fair Commemorative Artist,” by Pamela Espeland, MinnPost, dated Jan 30, 2019.
I’m looking forward to a strong 2019 in sharing my work in juried exhibitions. So far, the line-up for opening receptions in Jan / Feb 2019:
Photowork 2019, 32nd Annual National Juried Photography Exhibition, Juror: James A. Ganz, Senior Curator of Photography, J. Paul Getty Museum, Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY (February 9 - Mar 23, 2019)
9th Annual International Juried Exhibition, Juror: Carrie Dedon, Assistant Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art, Seattle Art Museum, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA (February 7–March 2, 2019)
Houston Center of Photography Print Auction 2019 Exhibition, Houston Center of Photography, Houston, TX January 25 - February 25, 2019. Reception January 25, 2019 at 5:30pm (I will be in attendance)
24th Arts in Harmony 2019 Annual International Show— Arts North Exhibition, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hopkins, MN (January 10-February 17, 2019)
I am honored that a selection from my series, "The Unchosen Ones," was exhibited as part of the 2018 Yixian International Photography Festival in Anhui, China. Guo Jing curated the exhibition for international section at the festival, one of the most influential festivals in China. I met Guo Jing during a portfolio review at Photolucida 2017 in Portland and she exhibited "The Sheep and the Goats" in China last year as well. In addition to the Chinese photographers, there were over exhibitions from over 50 photographers from the United States, France, Russia, Australia, Italy, Egypt, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Singapore. The exhibition exhibited more than 3,200 works. View gallery >>
Photographs Courtesy Yixian International Photography Festival. Pictured left to right in group picture: Fang Huanran, Deputy President of China Photo Press; Guo Jing, Host of Yixian International Photo Festival Opening Ceremony; Hu Ning, Vice chariman of the Political Consultative Conference of Huangshan City; Reza De Hadi, a French photographic artist; and Fang Huanran, Vice President of China Photographic Newspaper.
Special thanks to Chris Kovacs who connected with my work as part of Critical Mass Top 50, he has featured my work in the November / December 2018 issue of Mono Chroma magazine, a wonderful fine art photography resource. I was first introduced to Chris’s work at Classic Photographs LA in 2018 at the Susan Spiritus booth. Also featured: Daniel Garay Arango, Jane Szabo, Brett Leigh Dicks, Keith Ramsdell, Tara Cronin, and Ellen Keith.
The Unchosen Ones series featured with interview in the November / December 2018 issue of Mono Chroma magazine
