Top 10 of 2022 | Analog Forever

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Michael Kirchoff, Editor in Chief of Analog Forever Magazine, selected one of my tintypes for his Top 10 analog photographs from 2022. This on-going series of personal photographic works uses ninetieth-century technology to focus on intimate, interdependent relationships of people, animals, and landscape as a means of exploring how ancestry shapes identity and how myth intertwines with personal history. I created the 8 x 10 inch tintype on July 16, 2022 using a Kodak 2d view camera.

View the Top 10 list >>

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

ACQUISITION | University of Minnesota

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The DELUXE PORTFOLIO EDITION of The Unchosen Ones (edition of 10 + 2AP, $5500) was acquired by the Gorman Rare Art Book Collection at the University of Minnesota. Special thank you to curator Deborah Ultan and Jennifer Phelps (Burnet Fine Art & Advisory) for making this happen!

Photo by O. Kern

Tomte, Year 12

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Year 12 of the Tomte series is here, chronicling on-going Kern family antics.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BLOG POST >>

Warmth and humor lurks beyond the home, extending to school and the sledding hill. We have another cousin to feature, as well as evidence of intergalactic alien visitation (all welcome here) documented by my son and his first Nikon DSLR camera, gifted by my Dad. Witness homemade ginger-bread houses, a candy home, and a Lego battle while cookies cool. New to this holiday series? Discover the antics from 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Enjoy!

Paris Photo Pop-Up Show & Sale

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Five years ago I published my first book with German publisher, Kehrer Verlag. Since, I’ve had a box of match prints (8x12 inches) used for proofing purposes in the printing process and will be releasing them to celebrate five-years!

The archival pigment prints are all pristine condition, signed on verso. I will release this special series of prints for Paris Photo 2022, running Nov 8 - 12, 2022.

If you are in Paris, my friends Jamie Johnson and Dotan Saguy and I will be hosting a party. You are welcome, please RSVP. They will have prints from their Kehrer Verlag book, too!

As a follower of my work, I am pleased to offer special access, first come first served. They will go fast.

A selection of prints from my series Divine Animals: The Bovidae, Out to Pasture, and The Unchosen Ones will be released for Paris Photo 2022.

Eyes on Main Street - 2022

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One of my photographs will be exhibited as part of the Eyes on Main Street (8th Edition), curated by Ghadah Alrawi, Jérôme De Perlinghi, and Carol Johnson, Wilson, NC (October 21, 2022 - March 25, 2023). Special thank you to the curators for inviting me to be apart of this really cool concept of photography exhibitions. I love bringing art to the people. For 150 days, 100 photographs will be displayed on 100 storefront windows, walls and buildings, spanning nine city blocks in Wilson, NC.

Project website >>

Ava, Pastoral Study, 2020 by R. J. Kern, exhibited Eyes on Main Street (8th Edition), curated by Ghadah Alrawi, Jérôme De Perlinghi, and Carol Johnson, Wilson, NC (October 21, 2022 - March 25, 2023).

Atlanta Celebrates Photography Auction Gala 2022

Join Atlanta Celebrates Photography (ACP) for an elegant seated dining experience and world-class fine art photography live and silent auction, October 1 at 11am at the Thompson Hotel Buckhead in Atlanta, GA. Enjoy a Southern Dim Sum Brunch designed by James Beard-nominated Chef Todd Ginsberg.

I’m offering one of my most notorious portraits featuring Kenzi and Hootie (2020), mounted and framed in museum glass.

Festivities will begin with live music, cocktails, and the opening of our Silent Auction at 11:00 am, followed by a seated brunch with a curated menu of Southern favorites. The highlight will be a Live Auction of highly collectible fine art photography. Nicholas D. Lowry of Swann Auctions, New York (Antique Roadshow host), will wield the gavel.

Special thanks to Jerry Atnip, Todd Ginsberg, Eli Kirshtein, and Mary Stanley for their leadership in this festive event. The Auction Gala is Atlanta Celebrates Photography’s primary fundraising event in support of Atlanta Celebrates Photography and the 2022 ACP Festival.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND DETAILS >>

Nevada Museum of Art Acquisition

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“Dumb and Dumber, Freeborn County, MN” found a new home at the Center for Art and Environment at the Nevada Museum of Art, in honor of my friend Greg MacGregor (not dead yet). Greg recommended I reach out to them about a touring exhibition, for which they politely declined (this time). However, one thing lead to the next and the museum was interested in acquiring my work, thanks to the efforts of William L. Fox and Sara Frantz.

What really excites me is the trapezoid created between artist, collector, curator, and museum thanks to my friend, Jamie Siller, who donated the COLLECTOR’S EDITION’s of “The Sheep and the Goats” (Ed of 50) in honor of her late husband, Gino Siller. Gino and I used to photograph weddings together, and were in Ireland in 2012 when I created the first photograph for the project. Lots of warm fuzzies to know the book art project he acquired in 2017 will be given a new home in a public museum collection.

View the entry in the online collection database here >>

Jamie Siller holds the Collector’s Edition of The Sheep and the Goats, donated to the Nevada Museum of Art in honor of her late husband, Gino Siller.

R. J. Kern and the late Gino Siller, Denver, CO, circa 2008

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

Live from the Minnesota State Fair, KARE-TV feature

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"New book on 4-H kids who don't win the blue ribbon,” feature with Chris Hrapsky, NBC KARE-11 TV, original live air date August 27 at the Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN. Special thank you to Chris Hrapsky for producing this segment. Watch below or linked here.

"New book on 4-H kids who don't win the blue ribbon,” RJ Kern interview with Chris Hrapsky, NBC KARE-11 TV, original air date August 27

Get the Show on the Road! Tips for Creating and Booking Traveling Exhibitions

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Once your solo exhibition comes down, how do you keep the show on the road? What factors are most important? What practical constraints make it easier to earn a "yes?" What elements are most important in creating a touring exhibition? What does a successful exhibition proposal look like? How does a touring exhibition keep your book alive? How do you manage shipping costs and logistics for shows booking 3-4 years out? How much should you charge? What about a retainer? What does a written agreement look like? How do you identify and approach potential venues while keeping your i's dotted and t's crossed?

In my first SPE presentation, “Get the Show on the Road! Tips for Creating and Booking Traveling Exhibitions,” I am excited to share the nuts and bolts of how I was able to book (in a matter of months) over 12 PAID solo exhibitions from my photographic project, The Unchosen Ones. Traveling exhibitions support my creative practice, keep my books alive, and create PREDICABLE income, unlike gallery print sales or grants. I'm eager to share my enthusiasm and lessons learned with a goal of expanding your audience for your photographic projects. 

Friday, October 07, 9:00am
2022 MWSPE Conference, Cincinnati, OH

This year's theme highlights works concerned with the ebb and flow of social, political, and artistic trends and how these tropes and themes can return with differing focus and intensity. Learn more and see complete list of of speakers here >>

2022 MWSPE Conference, Cincinnati, OH Get the Show on the Road! Tips for Creating and Booking Traveling Exhibitions

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.

Summer Art at Burnet Art

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“Summer is a great time to visit art museums, which offer the refreshing rinse of swimming pools - only instead of cool water, you immerse yourself in art,” writes Jerry Saltz.

Dip your toes into the art pool back room at Burnet Fine Art and you’ll find to two special photographs from 'The Unchosen Ones' series special— exhibition prints from juried shows. Exhibitions and curation form the backbone of photographic art. These framed photographs have earned frequent flier miles:

"Anna and Helen, Blue Earth County Fair, 2016" (right), exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery (London, UK), below.

Exhibition print from the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2017 Exhibition, National Portrait Gallery, London, England, 2017

And "Carlana, Pastoral Study, 2020" (left) at Photographic Center Northwest (Seattle, WA) from the exhibition "Time Capsule," Juried by Shamim M. Momin, 2021.

Exhibition print from "Time Capsule," Juror: Shamim M. Momin, Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA , 2021

A thought to ponder as you float in the art pool from Jerry Saltz: "Billions of photos are shot every year, and about the toughest thing a photographer can do is invent an original, deeply personal, instantly recognizable visual style.”

Solo Exhibition at Burnet Fine Art

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I’m pleased to announce dates for my third solo exhibition held at Burnet Fine Art & Advisory (Wayzata, MN) opening May 21 (I”ll be there 4-7pm). The Unchosen Ones features a selection of photographs from the series of the same name, presented in archival pigment prints, tintypes, and toned silver gelatin prints.

“(Kern’s) work is about people and animals, but it is also very much about a world in which people and animals continue to coexist, and the ways a childhood experience may or may not shape a later life,” writes Alison Nordström, Independent Curator, in her essay in the The Unchosen Ones: Portraits of an American Pastoral (MW Editions, 2021).