Who is JR, the Artist Behind Public Photography Projects

From the streets of Cartagena to the vibrant cityscapes of Shanghai, the French artist JR has become one of the most influential figures in the world of urban art. Known for pushing boundaries with his universal statements, JR’s monumental portraits capture the human side of social issues and narrate the stories of everyday people. His large-scale public photography projects, spread across cities worldwide, address local political conflicts, making JR one of the most visible contemporary artists on the international stage.

Born in the banlieues of Paris to a Tunisian mother and a European father, JR began his artistic journey as a teenage graffiti artist. Initially more interested in leaving his mark on public spaces than in changing the world, JR’s early work often involved perilous adventures on rooftops and subway trains. A turning point came when he and his friends discovered a camera in the Paris Metro, which they used to document their graffiti. At just 17, JR started pasting photocopies of these photographs on outdoor walls, creating unauthorized “sidewalk gallery exhibitions.” This marked the beginning of his evolution from a graffiti artist to a global art icon.

As JR traveled across Europe, he sought out other artists who used outdoor walls as their canvas. He began to contemplate the vertical boundaries—walls and facades—that structure cities. Listening to the people he met and understanding their stories, JR started pasting their portraits on the streets, rooftops, and basements of Paris, ensuring that these images would be seen by all.

JR’s first significant project emerged in 2004, following riots in the Parisian banlieues. He photographed the faces of rioters and pasted large prints of their faces throughout the city. This project, which humanized a largely immigrant population dismissed by the government as “scum,” was JR’s first major public art initiative and set the tone for his future work.

The Face2Face Project

In 2007, JR launched his Face2Face project, pasting portraits of Arabs and Jews on walls across Israel and the West Bank. The project sought to highlight the shared humanity between two historically conflicted groups, fostering dialogue through art.

Women Are Heroes Project

In 2008, following the government-involved murder of three young men in Rio de Janeiro’s Morro da Providencia favela, JR initiated the “Women Are Heroes” project. He pasted enormous images of the eyes of women from the community—many of whom were relatives of the deceased—on buildings overlooking the city. The project aimed to honor these women and highlight their resilience amidst violence and loss. JR expanded this project globally, traveling to New York, Brazil, London, Brussels, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kenya, Sudan, India, Cambodia, and the Philippines. The project culminated in the film “Women Are Heroes,” which competed for the Camera d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

The 2011 TED Prize and the Inside Out Project

In 2011, JR was awarded the TED Prize, which came with a $100,000 award. He used this to launch the “Inside Out” project, which invited people worldwide to send him photographs of themselves. JR then printed these photos on a large scale and sent them back to the participants to display publicly. This project democratized art by empowering individuals and communities to share their stories visually. To date, more than 1,200 organizations and 160,000 causes have participated in Inside Out, spreading JR’s artistic message across the globe.

Faces, Places and Film Work

JR’s work also extends into filmmaking. In 2017, he collaborated with legendary filmmaker Agnès Varda on the Oscar-nominated short film “Faces, Places.” The film documents their artistic journey through rural France, capturing the essence of JR’s work and its impact on the communities they visited.

The Gun Chronicles: A Story of America

JR’s 2018 project, “The Gun Chronicles: A Story of America,” explores the deeply polarized gun control debate in the United States. Collaborating with Time magazine, JR photographed and filmed 245 Americans, representing over 200 different perspectives on the issue. The result was a powerful video mural and a striking cover for Time magazine, capturing the breadth of the nation’s gun debate.

The Louvre and the Secret of the Great Pyramid

In March 2019, JR returned to the Louvre with another mesmerizing project. He created a 3D optical illusion of the Louvre Pyramid using his signature black-and-white stickers, making it appear as though the pyramid extended deep underground. The installation, ephemeral by design, was torn apart by visitors within hours—an outcome JR embraced, highlighting the fleeting nature of art and experience.

The Art Exhibition at The Pyramids

Continuing his exploration of cultural icons, JR took his art to Egypt in his 2021 project, “Forever Is Now,” where he created an optical illusion atop the Great Pyramid of Giza. This installation was part of a broader exhibition featuring large-scale sculptures and installations by ten contemporary artists. It marked the first time an exhibition of this nature was held at the 4,500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As JR continues to expand his artistic reach, 2024 and 2025 are set to be landmark years for the artist, with several highly anticipated installations and exhibitions that will further cement his status as a leading figure in contemporary art.

2023 Highlights:

• Retour à la Caverne: This installation, set in two acts on the Opéra Garnier in Paris, reflects JR’s continued exploration of monumental, site-specific art that engages with iconic architecture.

• Les Enfants d’Ouranos: An in-situ installation on the facade of the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, New York, further emphasizes JR’s focus on community and social themes, this time highlighting the intersection of art, environment, and society.

• Déplacé.e.s: Continuing his work from previous years, JR expanded this project to Rwanda, Mauritania, Greece, Colombia, and Ukraine. “Déplacé.e.s” addresses the global refugee crisis through powerful photographic installations in both conflict zones and the cities receiving these refugees.

2024 Highlights:

• La Nascita: In 2024, JR unveiled “La Nascita,” a monumental anamorphosis on the Milano Centrale train station in Milan, Italy. This installation transformed the station into a striking work of art, engaging travelers with its thought-provoking design and intricate details, typical of JR’s style.

• Tehachapi Documentary: JR’s feature documentary “Tehachapi,” which tells the stories of incarcerated men involved in a collaborative art project at a U.S. maximum-security prison, was released in theaters across France in June 2024 and is now available for streaming worldwide. This film underscores JR’s commitment to exploring social justice issues through various media.

Looking Ahead:

While specific details about JR’s plans for late 2024 and beyond are not yet fully disclosed, his recent works suggest that he will continue to explore themes of identity, migration, and social justice. Fans of JR can anticipate more installations that use public spaces to engage communities and provoke dialogue on pressing global issues.

JR describes himself as an “urban activist,” creating art that transcends traditional boundaries. His works are installed on buildings in Parisian projects, Middle Eastern walls, African bridges, and Brazilian favelas. The process is highly collaborative, often involving community members in the pasting phase. For instance, in Brazil, children became artists for a week, participating in JR’s vision. In Tecate, Mexico, a giant image of a curious toddler peers over a fence separating Mexico from the United States, blurring the line between art and life.

Over the past two decades, JR has firmly established himself as a pivotal figure in contemporary art. His work resonates deeply because it emphasizes the human experience, challenging perceptions and bridging the gap between how stories are told and how they are lived. Each project is interconnected, with new initiatives responding to the ideas and contexts of previous ones. Even after his work is removed from view, its messages continue to resonate globally, underlining JR’s enduring impact on the art world.

• Guinness World Record: JR’s 2014 installation in Paris, “Inside Out,” set a Guinness World Record for the largest global art project.

• Self-Taught Artist: JR is entirely self-taught, having never attended formal art school.

• Youngest TED Prize Winner: At 28, JR was the youngest artist ever to receive the TED Prize.

• Philanthropic Projects: In addition to his art, JR is deeply involved in philanthropy, using his platform to raise awareness and funds for various global causes

JR’s art transcends traditional boundaries, blending creativity with social activism in a way that resonates globally. His work continues to challenge perceptions, inspire dialogue, and bring attention to pressing social, political, and environmental issues. As JR embarks on his ambitious projects in 2024 and 2025, his influence is set to grow even further, solidifying his role as a transformative figure in the contemporary art world. His ability to connect with diverse audiences, combined with his commitment to using art as a force for change, ensures that JR’s legacy will endure, continuing to inspire and provoke thought for generations to come.