JR: Ambassador of street art

Are you passionate about photography? Do you want to learn more about the famous JR, considered one of the ambassadors of street art in France? You've come to the right place!

In recent years, we've become very interested in the life of this artist... an unparalleled talent and impressive works . In this article, we'll share our weeks-long investigation into JR and his art .

JR is a contemporary French photographer. He is known for his black and white works. His creations have attracted many art lovers, to the point that today he has become an ambassador of street art, alongside major artists like Banksy and Invader . In this article, you will learn more about:

• The artist's atypical style
• His conquest of the urban landscape
• His most iconic works

By the end of this reading, you will be familiar with JR's world and will have a complete understanding of his art. Let's begin without further ado...

I) JR: an urban artist with an atypical style

If you live in Paris, you've surely already seen a work by this politically engaged artist : JR. But who is he? And what does he do?

JR is an urban photographer . His real name is Jean René, and he was born on February 22, 1983, in the Paris region. He grew up in Montfermeil, among other places. Throughout his childhood, he lived like a "normal" boy: he went to school, played, and spent a lot of time at the market, since his parents had shops there. At the age of 18, something happened that changed his life. He was about to board the metro, as usual, when he found a camera on the train. From that day on, photography became his greatest passion. He then decided to travel all over Europe to discover urban art . In 2004, he created his first work: a photograph of the faces of young people from the suburbs. This captivated many Parisians, especially since the concept was new and innovative.

Indeed, unlike ordinary photographers who simply take pictures and put them in frames, JR wanted to do things on a grand scale. He pasted his artwork on a wall in a Parisian neighborhood , and in a large format no less. This allowed all passersby to contemplate his art and try to decipher its meaning. But it also attracted the attention of the authorities. His works were frowned upon, and he was therefore considered an illegal street artist. Nevertheless, instead of giving up, he used this reputation to further develop his art. He even became a kind of spokesperson, denouncing injustices and expressing opinions. All of this is reflected in his works.

JR's main works revolve around portraits. He often tries to capture facial expressions through faces , frequently tense or grimacing. But sometimes, he also presents portraits of happy or simply normal faces. JR is also committed to celebrating diversity. That's why, in 2010, he didn't hesitate to travel to every corner of the world to meet women and photograph them.

Another characteristic that distinguishes JR is the depth of his art. This artist doesn't simply express his passion; he also wants to convey messages . But instead of revealing them explicitly, he prefers to provoke questions in passersby. In fact, it's this mystery that makes him so interesting.

II) A photographer conquering the urban landscape

Before becoming an ambassador of modern art or street art, JR had to go through several stages. As mentioned earlier, JR began his career as a photographer in 2004. However, he only gained international recognition in 2010, at the Cannes Film Festival. At that time, he was filming a documentary highlighting women from around the world . To make it, he had to travel to the four corners of the globe, including Brazil and Kenya.

This experience led him to meet new people and expand his art. Since then, the streets of Paris are no longer his only targets. He has also extended his art to other major cities around the world, notably New York, where he invites passersby to have their picture taken and display their photos on the ground.

Thanks to his exceptional talent and commitment to society , he has won several awards, including the prestigious TED Prize, which enabled him to fund his website Inside Out. Today, JR continues to dazzle passersby with his art, and his fame continues to grow.

III) JR's iconic works

JR now has thousands of works scattered across the globe. Nevertheless, there are a few that have truly stood out. These include " Portrait of a Generation ," " Face2face ," " Women are heroes ," " Los cursos de la Ciudad ," " Le classique dans les banlieues ," and " The wrinkles of the city ."

1) A portrait of a generation

"Portrait of a Generation" is JR's first work. Released in 2004, it features photos of several young people. This particular work was exhibited on the walls of the Cité des Bosquets housing project in Montfermeil , a place that hadn't seemed to interest street artists before. Having received positive feedback, JR continued to create other portraits in the same style.

In 2006, he embarked on another project, this time to challenge the government's treatment of the neighborhood's youth. A riot had erupted in the same area a year earlier following the murders of two teenagers. Young people attacked the police with Molotov cocktails in protest, and the government reprimanded them, calling them "scum," which angered JR. To support these young people , JR released new portraits featuring menacing faces.

2) Face2face by JR

As for Face2face, it's a work created in 2007. To do so, he had to travel to Palestine and Israel. There, he took photos of several Palestinians and Israelis living in the war and displayed them face to face on the walls of eight cities in Palestine and Israel. More than just art, this creation aimed to alert those in power . By creating it, JR wanted to give a voice to the oppressed, to those who don't dare speak out for fear of reprisals. It's therefore a kind of rebellion, especially since at that time, his art was considered illegal.

3) Women are Heroes

"Women Are Heroes" was created in 2008 as a tribute to the source of our lives: women . In this work, he primarily aimed to denounce the harsh conditions they are forced to endure daily. These conditions include violence and a lack of respect for their dignity . To create it, he traveled to numerous countries, from Shanghai to Brazil, and across Africa. Through this unique creation, he brought together women from all over the world to highlight the importance of this cause.

4) The city courses

"Los cursos de la Ciudad" (The City Courses) is a work that the artist created between 2010 and 2011. It is exhibited in Cartagena, Spain. This work depicts portraits of elderly people with their wrinkles and the signs of age. JR specifically wanted to express the history and evolution of the city through this portrait . According to him, these elderly people, often called "the old folks," hold the memory of the city. They are, in a way, the ones who represent its history.

5) The classic suburban story



"Classical Dance in the Suburbs" is a fusion of classical dance and suburban life. Normally, these two worlds are very different. However, JR wanted to bring them together in one place. To create this piece, he drew much inspiration from the ballet performance "The Groves," which took place in New York City. The artwork is located on the docks of the port of Le Havre.

6) The wrinkles of the city



Finally, in "The Wrinkles of the City," JR turned his attention to Los Angeles, often called the city of eternal youth. Just as in "Los cursos de la ciudad" (The Courses of the City), it is a portrait of elderly people who fill the city streets. This work is therefore a kind of contradiction, tending to compare the city's evolution to that of the past . Moreover, its title aptly translates to "The Wrinkles of the City."

By reading this article, you have been able to decipher all the secrets surrounding JR's works and universe. Now, when you see his works in the street, you will be able to contemplate and understand them better.

Feel free to take a look at all of our own artistic creations and enjoy an immediate 15% discount on your order by using the following promo code: BLOG 15 .

See you soon.

The Lofty Trend Team.