JR Launches NFT Project in Solidarity with Ukraine

JR’s latest project, featured on the cover of Time Magazine this week, depicts hundreds of people in Lviv, Ukraine, carrying the image of 5-year-old refugee Valeriia. It is now available as two different NFTs. All proceeds will go towards supporting refugees exiting Ukraine at different border crossings. In the following statement, the artist's studio elaborates on the project.

On March 14th, we arrived in Lviv, in Ukraine. A week before, a Ukrainian photographer at the border had sent JR images of children who were crossing into Poland to seek refuge. One of those children was five-year-old Valeriia, pictured on the cover, from Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine.

We printed the photograph of smiling Valeriia on a 148 foot (45 meters) long tarp, which they walked across the border. Within minutes, a hundred people showed up in the center of Lviv wanting to help. Each person took hold of a section of the tarp, and together, they unfolded the image. As we moved through the city with the image, many joined the march. We all walked together, reminding those flying above Ukraine that there are people here who need to be protected. Valeriia and the 7.5 million children of Ukraine are the future, and their images remind us what the country is fighting for.

When we left the country, we realized how difficult it was for women and children to get to safety due to the long queues at the border. We now want to provide assistance at different border crossings and help the Ukrainians fleeing their country.

Today we are launching two NFTs to fund the project. By collecting them, you’re participating in our mission. 100% of the funds generated from primary and secondary sales will be dedicated to the creation of a logistics network that will bring food, warmth and comfort to the thousands of women and children queuing for hours at different Ukrainian border crossings.

To learn more about this project, visit (opens in a new window) JR-art.io.