PhotoMidwest Festival 2024 and FlakPhoto Projects present photographer R.J. Kern who will discuss his photobook The Unchosen Ones: Portraits of an American Pastoral, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, 1:30pm to 3:00pm, in the first floor Performance Gallery. Following the lecture, Deanna will sign copies of her book. Free admission.
R. J. Kern will share narrative arcs to personal projects which began in 2012 with an exploration of his pastoral roots in Ireland, Germany, Norway, and Iceland. He discovered his ancestors and their land have historically thrived alongside animals—goats, sheep, and rams—that were vital to their economy and sustenance. Growing up in a military family, he moved frequently, which fostered a longing for a hometown and deep community roots.
The nomadic nature of these animals resonates deeply with his own experiences; he has learned wandering can provide both sustenance and a sense of grounding. The hoofed animals, representing both the ordinary and the mythical, have become central figures in my artistic work, drawing inspiration from 19th-century painters. This body of work culminated in his first monograph, The Sheep and The Goats (Kehrer Verlag, 2018).
In 2016, motivated by empathy, he initiated The Unchosen Ones project, photographing 65 agricultural youth and their animals that were not champions at ten Minnesota county fairs. National Geographic published the work, with gallery and museum exhibition as outcomes from Photolucida and Review Santa Fe portfolio reviews. In 2020, he revisited The Unchosen Ones, delving deeper into the aspirations and dreams of the youth photographed. This reflective process culminated in the publication of The Unchosen Ones: Portraits of an American Pastoral (MW Editions, 2021), accompanied by a video documentary series and a traveling exhibition across 15 venues.
Inspired by Minnesota’s rich agricultural traditions, he launched The Last Fair project in 2021, creating portraits of county fairs with a nod to classical painting techniques. Drawing inspiration from artists like Pieter Bruegel and Grandma Moses, the project aims to showcase the vibrant tapestry of rural life at county fairs across Minnesota.
After his presentation, R. J. will sign copies of his projects, The Sheep and The Goats and The Unchosen Ones.
