Perrotin Opens in London with "Outposts" by JR – A Landmark Moment for the Art Scene
- Sal Fasone
- Mar 14
- 2 min read
Today marks a significant milestone in the global art world as Perrotin opens its highly anticipated London gallery in the heart of Mayfair, located within the historic Claridge’s Hotel. This expansion solidifies Perrotin’s presence in major cultural hubs, adding to its esteemed locations in Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, and Shanghai.
A Walkthrough with JR Himself
We had the rare opportunity to attend an intimate walkthrough of "Outposts" led by JR himself, where he shared his creative process, inspirations, and the powerful messages behind his works. With his signature hat and sunglasses, JR walked us through the exhibition with infectious energy, detailing his ongoing mission to bring visibility to marginalized communities through monumental public art.
Who is JR?
French artist JR (born 1983) is one of the most influential contemporary artists of our time, blending photography, street art, and activism. His career began in the early 2000s when he started pasting large-scale portraits of marginalized individuals in urban spaces. His work gained global recognition with projects such as Face 2 Face (2007), which placed giant portraits of Israelis and Palestinians side by side, and Women Are Heroes (2008), celebrating the resilience of women in conflict zones.
JR won the TED Prize in 2011, allowing him to launch Inside Out, a participatory project that empowers people worldwide to share their own stories through large-scale portrait installations. His work has been exhibited at the Louvre, the Tate Modern, and the Brooklyn Museum, and he has collaborated with the New York City Ballet and filmmaker Agnès Varda.
"Outposts" – A Powerful Exhibition
"Outposts" brings together over twenty of JR’s latest works, focusing on themes of displacement, resilience, and identity. The exhibition prominently features his ongoing project Déplacé·e·s (2022-present), which documents and amplifies the stories of displaced children in war-torn regions. Through monumental photographs installed in refugee camps, JR transforms these often-invisible communities into striking, unmissable landmarks.
A new series, "Enfants d’Ouranos" (Children of Ouranos), expands on this theme, presenting silhouetted portraits of these children on charred wooden panels, symbolizing both their visibility and the obscured struggles they endure. Two video installations provide behind-the-scenes insight into JR’s process, documenting how communities interact with and reclaim public space through his work.
A Must-See Exhibition
The opening of Perrotin London is not just a gallery launch—it’s an artistic and cultural moment. With JR’s powerful storytelling, large-scale installations, and deeply human narratives, "Outposts" is a must-see exhibition that challenges perceptions and sparks conversations about displacement, resilience, and belonging.
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