He's a Parisian contemporary artist/photographer who, as he says, "Owns the biggest art gallery in the world: the walls of the whole world." He began as a graffiti artist in Paris many years ago, and has evolved into one of the most unique creative minds I have seen.
J.R. does not create anything by chance, he gives meaning to everything. Whether he is expressing a political or social comment, he presents his point of view to the general public. For example, in 2008, in Brazil, he paid tribute to female victims of violence, by covering each panel he painted in Provincia, Rio, with female faces and named this piece 28 Millimeters, Women Are Heroes. At the conclusion of the project, he made the documentary, Women Are Heroes.
Early in his career, J.R. had fun framing his photographs on the walls with paint. It brought attention to his work. When the collage was removed, traces of spray paint remained on the wall. For him, "The city is the best gallery."
J.R. mainly uses black and white for his collages. It is rare to see any color. As a photographer, he is known for his huge collages on paper. He is a technical artist, who likes outdoor art and putting his works high up for all to see.
J.R. likes to showcase the poor, the discarded, the people no one pays attention to. He did a project at a supermax prison in California, another project at the border of Mexico and California. So impressive. I can't wait to see what he's up to next. Like Banksy, you never know where his work will show up next.
I urge you to watch "Paper and Glue" on MSNBC if I have peaked your interest in J.R. It's very good. Produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.
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