JR² Studio

Eva Hesse dead was produced after the pair returned from a city break in Berlin in which they were inspired by other artists in galleries and through flicking through books in the gallery shops. JR ² don't really read though, they like the pictures. The mirror was purchased at a car boot sale a few months previous and had been lying around in the studio not really having much purpose but it was bought purposely as it had lots of potential. From the distorted, patchy reflective glass to the tiny feet which helped prop the mirror up, the pair knew they couldn't leave the car boot sale without it. Again, when the pair work best, one evening JR² grabbed a few posca pens and played noughts and crosses, drew a tally and dated the mirror May 29th, also J's (from JR²) birthday and as quick as that Eva Hesse dead was done. Next.

Don't f̶o̶r̶g̶e̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ smile is a piece of work which was the first breakthrough for JR ². Going into the studio with no preconceived idea of what would be made that evening, the pair entered the sculpture studio and did pretty much all they knew which was mix a shit tonne of plaster. The materials which were laying around were a couple of empty plastic bags from a delivery so obviously the only  logical thing to do is fill these bags with plaster. Who knew plastic bags have loads of holes in them?? Not us. The floor was like a milk bath and we were racing around the studio looking for paper towels and tape to cover the holes. This is when we realised what JR ² is about. We get stuck in without thinking, everything 'goes wrong' and we create something that is immediate and a one off. I say 'goes wrong' but the mistakes and mess is what makes the work for JR², no one wants a perfectly filled bag of plaster, they want one that is all squashed up with tap...

JR ² is a collaboration established in 2019 at York St John University. The duo attended University together and worked alongside one another for 2 years before deciding to become a pact and take on the art world together.  The collaboration was formed when both students had feedback from staff to explore other areas such as sculpture and drawing to expand their individual practices. After a discussion with one another, it was clear that a crossover of the two practices would help one another meet the criteria for the marking system by the end of their third and final year. The rest is history. And one more thing, FUCK THE GRADES.  JR²  x