Geof Kern

Kern is a visionary artist whose work effortlessly navigates the intriguing intersection of fashion and non-fashion, creating a unique narrative that captivates audiences. Renowned for his innovative projects, his portfolio includes award-winning collaborations with prestigious names such as Matsuda Tokyo, under the creative direction of Yukio Kobayashi, and Neiman Marcus, alongside Georgia Christensen and Tim Flannery. A standout moment in his career came in 2001 when an advertising campaign for PNP-Paribas was immortalized in the permanent collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, celebrated as a quintessential example of advertising art. Kern’s recent advertising endeavors feature high-profile clients including The Ritz, Acura, 55DSL, Mercedes, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Sony, Neiman Marcus, LG, and Interfaceflor. His artistry has graced the pages of leading publications such as The New York Times Magazine, GQ, Best Life, Travel+Leisure, and Rolling Stone, further solidifying his reputation in the industry. With accolades from some of the most esteemed magazines and advertising agencies, Kern reflects on his journey with a sense of wonder. “I began my career in the early ‘80s when art and commercial photography seemed like two separate realms. Perhaps it was my naiveté that allowed me to photograph what inspired me, and the excitement of that vision resonated with others—thus, I became known as a 'surrealist' because there was simply no other term to capture my approach,” he shares. Kern's distinctive style fuses photography and illustration, redefining conventional genres of fashion and still life. He constructs elaborate sets and whimsical suburban scenes that playfully critique the ordinary. eschewing high-profile models, he often casts neighbors, friends, and locals to inhabit his fanciful realities. Through his lens, the everyday and domestic are transformed into rich tapestries of irony, imagination, and subtle humor, inviting viewers to see the extraordinary within the mundane.