Biography
From France, JR’s work is as good as unique. His regular modus operandi is to bill-post giant, unexpected, monochrome photographs in positions of high visibility - including rooftops, church windows and along the sides of buses. The work has graced the covers of Liberation and The Financial Times. Its goal is clear; to assist viewers in recovering their humanity.
JR has undertaken three major projects using this format. Portrait d’une Generation featured shots of the young natives from the much-maligned Paris banlieus (suburbs). However, in contrast to the public image of young immigrants – snarling, alienated and primed for social disorder – the subjects were pictured pulling funny faces through a fish-eye lens, inevitably lending an approachable, comic aspect. The giant posters went up in the grand central districts of Paris where the banlieus residents are considered thoroughly unwelcome (on a previous fact-finding trip to Paris, Lazarides was forbidden entry to bars along the Champs Elysees due to his mildly Cypriot appearance).
This theme has been extended to two further executions. Face 2 Face, dubbed ‘the largest illegal photo exhibition in the world’, appropriated the border wall running the length of the disputed areas between Israel and Palestine. Vast photographs of Jews and Palestinians of all denominations, including those with orthodox leanings, grinning goonishly into camera, ran side-by-side along a considerable length of the wall. JR’s latest project, Women Are Heroes, has been even more well-received than those which preceded it. It saw him relocate to the strife-ridden African countries of Sierra Leone and Liberia. In contrast to the usual mages of grief and despair, local women were pictured appearing happy and playful. JR is currently putting in motion a new ‘exhibition’ in India.
News
Regardless of linguistic logistics, we will be opening the (probably still wet) doors of our newly renovated, elegant, five-storey Georgian townhouse to the public on Friday the 15th of May. With just under 4,000 sq. ft of space for exhibitions, studios, and offices to play with, our first show will be the next installment of the Lazarides cornerstone; the ”Outsiders" group show featuring brand new work from Antony Micallef, Bast, Conor Harrington, David Choe, Faile, Jonathan Yeo, JR, and Vhils, to name but a few; as well as some outstanding pieces from some very special guests.
Until then, if you see Steve Lazarides on Rathbone Place looking angry and shouting at builders in 7 different languages, don't, whatever you do, say, "What's the matter with you darlin', got the painters in or something?"
*Below is an image of an actual piece of work by David Choe that might appear in the show!
Check out our exhibitions page for more information.

