| R. J. Kern is an artist from Minnesota who explains that his
work “explores ideas of home, ancestry, and a sense of place through
the interaction of people, animals, and cultural landscapes.” His
latest work, The Last Fair, is
"inspired by the Dutch painter Pieter
Bruegel and the American folk artist Grandma Moses. I employ
a large format camera with studio lighting and a high angle of view to
showcase the current realities
and agrarian practices on display at the remaining country fairs. By
embracing the constraints of 'in-camera photography,' I intend to show
the social and economic spectrum
of rural communities, and
to raise awareness for the changing face of American pastoral life. The
county fair is no longer the highlight of the summer, but kids who
invest their time in the care
of animals embrace the life lessons passed down through generations.
There is, however, evidence
that this way of life is disappearing as many young people leave
farming communities." Included below are also pastoral photographs from
Norway, where he is exploring the farming communities of his ancestors
in Scandinavia.
Mr. Kern (b. 1978) has produced award-winning work for a
number of shows
and collections, from individuals to museums. He has also authored two
well-received monographs. His work has always been innovative,
involving and, in the case of The Last Fair, requiring some very
elaorate logistics. The Last Fair Live Action Role Players, Blue Earth County Fair, Minnesota, 2022 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Winona County Fair King and Queen, 2023 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Lots of Llama Mamas, Carver County Fair, Minnesota, 2022 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Big Bird's Tricycle, Redwood County Fair, Minnesota, 2022 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  A Gaggle of Art Collectors, Beltrami County Fair, Minnesota, 2022 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Santa on Vacation, Benton County Fair, Minnesota, 2022 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  The Chosen One, Wadena County Fair, Minnesota, 2022 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Opichi Drum Performance at Mahnomen County Fair, White Earth Indian Reservation, Minnesota, 2023 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  After the 4-H Show, Houston County, Minnesota, 2023 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing) Norway Bogstad Pastoral Study 1, Norway, 2023 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Valberg Pastoral Study V, Norway, 2023 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Pastoral Study with Sheep, Valberg Norway, 2023 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Blackjack, Norway, 2023 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Drikkehorn, Aimee's Farm, Stamsund, Norway, 2023 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Reindeer Herd, Narvik, Norway, 2023 I Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing)  Olaf's Old Home, Stronstad, Norway, 2023 Ink pigment print, image size 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm.), edition of 10 + 2 APs: $1,500 (starting tier, increases every 3 prints) 24½ x 32 inches (62 x 81 cm.). edition of 7 + 1 AP: $3,000 (first three prints, then increasing) 40 x 53 inches (102 x 135 cm.), edition of 3 + 1 AP: $4,600 (first print, then increasing) Place an 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