All street art

Artist Retrospective: JR

March 22, 2022
3 min read

French artist JR has the largest art gallery in the world. Thanks to his photographic collage technique, he exhibits his work free of charge on the walls of the whole world – attracting the attention of those who do not usually go to museums.

Currently, his most common method to create street art is through the use of wheat pasting and gigantic mono photographs. He often gets his subject models faces with a 28mm wide-angle lens which result in portraits that unguarded, funny, soulful, real, and that capture the spirits of individuals who normally go unseen. His work of art brings forward common everyday materials to the light.

Mural In New York City, USA, 2012

These blown-up images are then pasted on urban surfaces such as the sides of buildings, bridges, rooftops, and even trains. Not only do they confront the public audience, but they also help engage audiences where they least expect it. Often introducing those who are unfortunate in the world to the remaining population in the world. JR combines powerful social statements through large murals and installations.

Check out below to view more of our compilation on JR’s best works.

New York City, USA, 2016

JR featured a picture of Lauren Lovette from the New York City ballet on this piece from 2016. The French artist created this beautiful artwork showing the famous dancer in motion against a background composed by a monochromatic building.

JR have worked with New York City Ballet last 2014. He used the language of dance to tell his version of the riots in the Clichy-Montfermeil district. He created The Groves, a ballet and short film, the music for which was composed by Woodkid, Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams, and which was presented at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Mural in Los Angeles, California, 2019

This mural is a gigantic collaboration with JR for Branded Arts Maya Angelou Mural Festival which happened in Los Angeles, California. As part of JR’s Inside Out Project 2019, the French artist create a large installation with hundreds of portraits that were taken at the school.

Sculpture Installation in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 2016

In anticipation of the Olympic Games 2016 opening this weekend in Rio De Janeiro, JR unveiled a series of giant installations featuring notable athletes.

Sculpture Installation in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 2016

Mural in Tokyo, Japan, 2013 in the event of his exhibition entitled “Could Art Change The World?” at The Watari Museum of Contemporary Art

Mural in New York City, USA, 2012

Mural in Berlin, Germany, 2013

“The Chronicles of New York” in New York City, USA, 2020

This mural is a part of a series he has made cross Brooklyn in connection with his Brooklyn Museum exhibition, JR: Chronicles last 2020. For this mural, titled “The Chronicles of New York”, he photographed over 1,000 New York residents and reproduced them at a monumental scale on the side of stacked shipping containers in Domino Park, adding to the stunning views of the Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.

Mural at The National Library of France in Paris

Check out our #JR page for more stunning works from talented artist!

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