Mitch Kern

Mitch Kern (born 1965 New York City) is a photographer and educator who has been working in the field since the 1990s Mitch Kern | Alberta University of the Arts. He is an associate professor of photography at Alberta University of the Arts and has exhibited his work in various galleries and publications. His work explores the themes of identity, perception, emotion and communication through portraits of people and animals. He uses digital, analog and video means to create images that challenge the viewers to question their own assumptions and biases Mitch Kern: Conundrums. Instagram: @wildsuburb. http://www.mitchkern.com/ One example of his work is Conundrums, a series of photographs that depict people wearing animal masks in urban settings. The masks create a contrast between the human body and the animal face, suggesting a sense of alienation, confusion or curiosity. The masks also hide the facial expressions of the subjects, making it difficult to read their emotions or intentions. Another example is Vicarious Nature, a series of photographs that show animals interacting with human-made objects or environments. The animals are either curious, playful or fearful of these unfamiliar elements, revealing their personalities and emotions. The photographs also raise questions about the relationship between humans and nature, and how we affect each other’s lives.

Early life
He was born in New York City in 1965. In 1977 he moved to Los Angeles where he attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts Acting School for Stage, Film & Television with Campuses in New York and Los Angeles | The American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

He played Stooky in Michael Rhodes’ Soup Man Soup Man, Show # 812 (1980) | Insight Powered by Paulist Productions, "Insight" Soup Man (TV Episode 1980) - IMDb and Marc Goldsmith in Lawrence Bassoff’s Today I am a Man… I think Today I Am a Man .....I Think (1980).

Mid Life
He went to Birmingham High School Birmingham High School, has a bachelor of arts (BA) degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Welcome To UMBC - UMBC: University Of Maryland, Baltimore County and a masters of fine arts (MFA) degree from Penn State University Penn State University.

He worked as a staff photographer at Times Mirror Company and Tribune Media and was a stringer for the Associated Press Associated Press News: Breaking News | Latest News Today, United Press international Top News, Latest headlines, Latest News, World News &amp; U.S News - UPI.com and the Washington Times Washington Times - Politics, Breaking News, US and World News. He was a photo editor at Insight Magazine Insight on the News.

He worked as an assistant professor at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) University of Central Missouri UCM Among Missouri's Best Universities and Louisiana Tech University (LTU) Louisiana Tech University. He is currently an associate professor at Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) Home page | Alberta University of the Arts, Mitch Kern | Alberta University of the Arts.

Current Work
Kern maintains a full-time teaching career and part-time photography practice. His work is represented by Herringer Kiss Gallery Contemporary Art Calgary | Herringer Kiss Gallery | Calgary. http://www.mitchkern.com/