Think beyond Banksy. I know he’s one of the most well known graffiti artists alive, but there are other artists that are just as good, maybe even better.

Introducing Jef Aerosol, a legend of street art. Aerosol began with stencils in 1982 in France. With other French artists like Blek Le Rat, Miss Tic, and Speedy Graphito, he pioneered a new way of artistic expression – breaking the limits of gallery spaces and canvas format. Aerosol has helped the streets become a free and open exhibition arena.

Aerosol initially explored ‘copy-art’ in the late 70s, creating collages and distortions of photos using all the possibilities of a photocopier. He gradually moved to stencils, influenced by 70s-80s underground rock bands. Characters are the focal point of Jef Aerosol’s art. Whether they are cultural icons or anonymous people, their attitudes carry a genuine emotion, magnified by texture effects, contrasted colours and provoking wording. Like the best photographers, he can catch the truth of an instant to reveal its universality.

Aerosol lives and works in Lille. His art is present in many private collections around the world as well as on the walls of cities like Paris, London, Lisbon, Chicago or Shangai. His artworks are regularly auctioned in Paris by Arcurial and in London and New York by Bonhams. Over the past 30 years, Jef Aerosol has been exhibited in numerous galleries and has participated to various street art festivals internationally.

Information courtesy of The French Art Studio

Hope 2009

Chicago 2007

London 2007

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