JR

JR is a celebrated French artist and photographer, known for his monumental black-and-white photographic installations that transform streets, rooftops, and entire buildings into powerful canvases. Born in Paris in 1983, he began his artistic journey after discovering a camera left on the Paris Metro as a teenager. Blending photography with the spirit of graffiti, JR describes himself as a “photograffeur,” merging urban art with social activism.

His early project Portraits of a Generation (2004–2006) gained significant attention by pasting portraits of young people from Paris’s suburbs onto walls in upscale districts, challenging stereotypes and sparking dialogue. From there, JR expanded globally, developing large-scale projects like Face 2 Face (2007), featuring Israelis and Palestinians posted side by side, and Women Are Heroes (2008–2011), honoring the strength and dignity of women in conflict zones.

JR’s approach is deeply collaborative: he often involves the communities he photographs, turning his subjects into protagonists of their own narratives. His belief that “the street is the largest art gallery in the world” underpins a career devoted to making art accessible, emotional, and socially engaged.

Today, JR works internationally, represented by major galleries such as Perrotin, PACE, and Galleria Continua, while continuing to push the boundaries between art, activism, and public space.