The Minnesota State Fair broke with long tradition in 2019. After asking artists like Harry Potter book cover illustrator Mary Grandpre and muralist Tacoumba Aiken to portray the fair, a photographer was selected for this year’s commemorative art for the first time.
R.J. Kern has worked for the likes of National Geographic and animals are one of his favorite subjects. He put together a meticulous composite of last year’s champion livestock in a makeshift hay bale studio to celebrate the Great Minnesota Get Together. He talks MPR’s Tim Nelson at the fair, about his work.