Supporting JR’s “Casa Amarela Providência”
Born in France in 1983, JR is a globally recognised artist instantly recognisable for his gigantic mono photographs – unguarded, soulful portraits that reveal the humanity behind local inhabitants that are then blown up and pasted on huge urban surfaces such as the sides of buildings, bridges, rooftops, trains, even cargo ships. His art installations, be they in the favelas of Brazil, on the walls of the Middle East, over the US-Mexican border fence, hanging from broken bridges in Africa or making the Louvre’s glass pyramid disappear in a 3-D optical illusion, combine powerful social statements that push the public to question vital subjects such as freedom, identity, responsibility, love, and limits.
Known for his carefully guarded anonymity and humility, JR founded the non-profit organisation “Can Art Change the World” to further his wish to use the power of art, culture, and education to bring about real social change around the world through individual projects in specific communities. “Casa Amarela Providência” is part of this initiative: an educational, art and social support centre founded by JR along with local photographer Mauricio Hora more than twelve years ago at the top of Brazil’s first favela, Morro da Providência, “Casa Amarela” is a sanctuary that aims to make art and culture accessible to all residents through a wide range of activities combining the arts, music, dancing, theatre, sports, and languages. Partnerships with local activists, artists and teachers have developed into exchanges with like-minded individuals from all over the world, allowing the favela’s residents to have access to over 600 artistic or language workshops a year.
Bedrock is a proud sponsor of Casa Amarela and we invite you to find out more about this important project, and others, through the following link: www.canartchangetheworld.net
This month we discuss a volatile end to an otherwise strong start to 2026, broad equity gains, extreme swings in precious metals, rising geopolitical tensions from Greenland to Venezuela, and renewed focus on Japan as yields climb.
Anne-Maree O’Brien’s journey began in her family’s first-generation hospitality business, where she was immersed from an early age. Today, through The Scene Series, she brings together leading voices from across the global hospitality industry. She shares the dynamics that underpin successful family enterprises and how her upbringing instilled a deep appreciation for craft, hard work, human connection, and storytelling.
Our research team share their latest outlook for Q1 2026, highlighting how resilient global growth, AI‑driven investment, rising geopolitical tensions and shifting monetary policies are shaping markets. With the US still leading, Europe steady but subdued, Japan reflating, and emerging markets diverging, the landscape is both opportunity‑rich and risk‑sensitive. We explore what this means across asset classes, from selective fixed income positioning to balanced equity exposure and the growing importance of alternatives such as gold.