Jean-François Perroy, plus connu sous le pseudonyme Jef Aérosol, est un artiste pochoiriste français né à Nantes le 15 janvier 1957. Âgé de 67 ans, Jef Aérosol est l'une des figures emblématiques de la première vague du street art des années 1980. Reconnu pour ses contributions majeures à cette technique artistique, il a marqué l'histoire de l'art urbain avec ses œuvres iconiques. Peintre, graphiste et graffeur, son travail a largement influencé le développement du pochoir en tant que moyen d'expression artistique.
Artist Biography: Jef Aérosol
Jean-François Perroy, known to the world as Jef Aérosol, is a renowned French street artist and stencil art pioneer who has significantly shaped the urban art landscape since the early 1980s. Born on January 15, 1957, in Nantes, France, Jef Aérosol has resided in the suburbs of Lille since 1984. His journey into the realm of street art began in 1982 when he painted his first stencil in Tours. Initially signing his works as "Jef," he soon added "Aérosol" and a distinctive red arrow that has become his trademark. Jef Aérosol's portfolio is rich and diverse, featuring portraits of cultural icons such as Elvis Presley, Gandhi, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Amália Rodrigues, Bob Dylan, and Serge Gainsbourg. Beyond these famous faces, he also captures the essence of anonymous street figures, including musicians, passersby, beggars, and children. His art breathes life into urban spaces, transforming everyday environments into dynamic canvases that engage the public and provoke thought.
In 1985, Jef Aérosol took part in the first major gathering of graffiti and urban artists in Bondy, an event organized by the VLP collective. This historic meeting included notable figures like Blek le Rat, Futura 2000, Miss Tic, SP 38, Speedy Graphito, Banlieue-Banlieue, Nuklé-Art, and Epsylon Point. This event marked a significant milestone in the evolution of street art in France. Throughout his prolific career, Jef Aérosol has adorned the walls of cities worldwide, from Paris, Lille, Lyon, Nantes, and Marseille to London, Lisbon, Venice, Rome, Amsterdam, Chicago, New York, Brussels, Beijing, Tokyo, and beyond. One of his notable works includes "Sitting Kid" on the Great Wall of China. In the 1990s, he balanced his artistic endeavors with teaching English at the Lycée Louis-Pasteur in Lille. His impact extends into institutional spaces as well. In 2010, he created a mural on the facade of the Robert Musil Museum in Klagenfurt, Austria. His museum presence continued with a solo exhibition at the Musée des Avelines in Saint-Cloud in 2011 and participation in the "Babel" exhibition at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille in 2012. Invited by the French Embassy in Japan, he also contributed to the "No Man's Land" exhibition in Tokyo alongside artists like Monsieur Chat, Speedy Graphito, Christian Boltanski, Claude Lévêque, and Georges Rousse.
One of Jef Aérosol's most iconic works is the large-scale mural "Chuuuttt !!!" created in 2011 at Place Igor-Stravinsky in the heart of Paris. This monumental stencil, covering 350 square meters, features a striking image of a man with wide-open eyes holding his finger to his lips, a piece that has become a landmark near the Centre Georges-Pompidou. In 2012, Jef Aérosol celebrated thirty years of stencil art with a retrospective exhibition organized by the Magda Danysz Gallery in Orléans. This milestone was further commemorated with the publication of "Parcours fléché" in 2013. His large-format murals continue to captivate audiences, with notable works including portraits of Miossec in Brest, Hendrix in La Louvière, Belgium, Ray Charles and Otis Redding in La Rochelle, and a tribute to Basquiat, Warhol, and Haring in Le Havre. In 2022, marking four decades of his artistic journey, Jef Aérosol presented an expansive exhibition covering 600 square meters and featuring over 300 original works at the Galerie Mathgoth in Paris. The following year, in October 2023, the Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse in Lille showcased "Stories," a comprehensive retrospective that drew 56,000 visitors over three months, highlighting the enduring appeal and impact of his work.
Jef Aérosol's contribution to street art is not only seen in his widespread murals but also in his ability to convey profound human emotions and social commentary through the simplicity and precision of his stencils. His work remains a significant part of the global street art movement, continually inspiring and challenging viewers around the world.
Brief History on Graffiti in Europe
Graffiti, as an art form, has deep historical roots in Europe, dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, where inscriptions and drawings adorned walls and monuments. The 20th century witnessed graffiti's resurgence, initially associated with street gangs marking territory in urban centers. This phenomenon spread from the subways of New York City to cities across Europe in the 1970s and 1980s, where it evolved into a more diverse and expressive form of urban art. In Paris, it gained momentum in the early 1980s with influential figures like Guy Debord writing subversive messages and artists like Jef Aérosol pioneering stencil techniques. By 1985, Jef Aérosol was participating in major graffiti gatherings in Bondy, collaborating with other notable artists like Blek le Rat. Graffiti became an important medium for political and social commentary, as well as artistic expression, transforming urban landscapes into vibrant canvases. This period also saw the emergence of graffiti shops and the development of new styles and techniques, particularly in cities like Amsterdam and London. Today, graffiti remains a dynamic and controversial element of urban culture in Europe, with artists like Jef Aérosol continuing to push the boundaries of this art form, contributing to its rich and evolving history.
Listen (2004) by Jef Aérosol
Jef Aérosol, Listen, 2004. Painting.
Listen (2004) by Jef Aérosol is a compelling and evocative piece of stencil graffiti that showcases the artist’s distinctive style and his adeptness at transforming urban spaces into dynamic works of art. The painting features a shadow-like depiction of a man dressed entirely in black, including a hat and shoes, which creates a striking contrast against the textured brown background that mimics the appearance of wood. This background choice not only provides a warm, organic contrast to the stark figure but also enhances the painting's depth and dimensionality. The figure's pose is both engaging and purposeful: he stands with one hand confidently resting on his hip while the other hand is cupped to his ear, suggesting that he is intently listening or perhaps calling attention to something. This gesture is a central element of the piece, drawing viewers into a moment of contemplation or communication. The artist's use of white highlights on the man’s face and hands adds a sense of light and depth, accentuating his form and creating a three-dimensional effect that enhances the overall impact of the work. Adding to the composition’s complexity are the red arrows pointing towards the figure, which serve to guide the viewer's focus and underscore the significance of the man's pose and gesture. These arrows create a visual dialogue that encourages the viewer to engage more deeply with the artwork's message and the figure's expressive stance. At the top right of the painting, the words "Listen! Jef Aérosol" are rendered in bold red letters, reinforcing the theme of attentiveness and inviting viewers to not only look but to listen and reflect. This textual element is integral to the piece, linking the visual imagery with the artist’s name and the thematic core of the work. In addition, the painting features a subtle, shadow-like figure of a rat near the man's foot, adding an element of whimsy and intrigue. This detail provides a playful contrast to the otherwise serious and focused demeanor of the central figure, suggesting a deeper narrative or commentary that invites closer inspection and interpretation. Overall, Listen exemplifies Jef Aérosol’s mastery of his art, blending sophisticated techniques with thoughtful content to create an artwork that resonates with both visual and conceptual depth. The piece exemplifies his ability to infuse urban environments with a sense of narrative and emotional engagement, making it a memorable and impactful addition to his body of work.
Iconic Artworks
Among his notable pieces is Chuuuttt!!! (2012), a striking large-scale mural in Paris that features a dramatic, oversized image of a man with an expressive gesture of silence. Another significant work, Black is Beautiful (2014), celebrates the beauty and dignity of Black identity through Aérosol's signature technique. Newspaper Boy (2010) showcases his ability to blend street art with social commentary, while the monochrome stencil from 2012 exemplifies his mastery of simplicity and contrast. The mural in Barracas, Buenos Aires (2013), honors the local culture with a distinctive touch, and Basquiat (2014) pays homage to the influential artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. His Bombe 400ML customisée (date unspecified) and Episode #5: Jef Aérosol (2011) further highlight his innovative use of materials and mediums. Each of these reflects Aérosol’s profound impact on contemporary street art and his continued exploration of themes through his stencil art.
Jef Aérosol’s artistic journey encapsulates the essence of urban art’s evolution and its powerful impact on contemporary culture. Born Jean-François Perroy in Nantes on January 15, 1957, Aérosol emerged as a seminal figure in the 1980s street art movement. At 67, his influence remains profound, with his pioneering use of stencils leaving an indelible mark on the art world. From his early days in Tours, where he created his first stencil in 1982, to his iconic works adorning walls across major cities worldwide, Aérosol’s art resonates with both historical significance and contemporary relevance. His portraits of cultural icons and anonymous figures alike transform urban spaces into reflective canvases that challenge and engage the public. Notable projects, like the monumental Chuuuttt!!! in Paris and international exhibitions, underscore his global reach and artistic legacy. As street art continues to evolve, Jef Aérosol's contributions stand as a testament to the enduring power of this dynamic art form, bridging the gap between the ephemeral nature of street art and its lasting impact on society.
Selena Mattei
