Artist Biography ~ Jef Aerosol Jef Aerosol is a legend of the Street Art. He started his career stencilling in 1982 in France. With other French artists like Blek Le Rat and Miss Tic, he has pioneered a new way of artistic expression - breaking the limits of gallery spaces and canvas format. Streets have become a free and open exhibition arena. Artists could connect directly with the masses and shake public opinion with humour and provocation. Jef Aerosol initially explored ‘copy-art’ in the late 70s, i.e. creating collages and distortions of photos using all the possibilities of a photocopier. He gradually moved to stencils, influenced by ideas and atmospheres put forward 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. Jef Aerosol masters the use of stencil. Like the best photographers, he can catch the truth of an instant to reveal its universality. Jef lives and works in Lille. Often called the french Banksy, his art is in many private collections around the world as well as on the walls of cities like Paris, London, Lisbon and Chicago, New York and Bejing. His artworks are regularly auctioned in Paris and London. He has been exhibited in numerous galleries and has participated to various art street festivals internationally. “Jef Aerosol’s work is as eclectic as it is original and very personal. It makes me feel good…isn’t that what art is supposed to do.” Chris Wilson, Musician “Flamin’ Groovies” Having recently returned from a successful exhibition in Bejing, Jef is now concentrating on this show in Gallery Zozimus, his first show in Ireland. "Depending on the stencil and where it is to be placed (in or outdoors) I usually use spray paint but sometime use sponge and brush. Some of my stencils are single layered, other have up to 4 layers. The outdoor ones tend to be life size but in my canvas work I favour close ups, along with colour and texture effects. I have tried, with pictures and words to call forth memories, emotions, feelings, joy and sadness to honour those who have fed my life with their music, words, art works, movies, ideas and ideals." Jef Aerosol. Click the links below to see some samples of Jefs fantastic work.. • Austria 2009 • Berlin 2009 • China 2009 - Pasted Stencil • New York • Venice (Dirk Bogarde - Death in Venice) • Zurich 2009