Islington Tribune - News: ‘You may wake up to a few surprises’ promises street artist

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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 15 February 2008

Jef Aerosol – France’s renowned street artist

‘You may wake up to a few surprises’ promises street artist

IN A converted church opposite Holloway prison, a world away from the edgy urban streets of Shoreditch, France’s godfather of stencil street art has been working on his latest creation.
A cardboard wall bearing all the hallmarks of 51-year-old Jef Aerosol’s work – Jimi Hendrix, a runaway child, Sid Vicious and a dairy cow – spans the building, now Islington Arts Factory.
The work, which is being put up for silent auction this week with a minimum bid of £1,000, has attracted high-profile interest. Actor Kevin Spacey is among those rumoured to be planning a bid.
The artist, whose work worldwide has won similar acclaim to that of mystery street artist Bansky in England, may have his work protected in Paris but he’s not happy about it.
When he spoke to the Tribune on Friday, Mr Aerosol said: “Painting on the walls is like a gift to the people, it shouldn’t have a value. Of course, it’s dispiriting if you come the following day and it’s gone but don’t work on the street if you want your work to last forever.
“I’m totally against Perspex protection. Some of Banksy’s works are protected by a Perspex covering.”
Mr Aerosol promised Islington streets may wake up to a few surprises during his residency at Islington Arts Factory.
The exhibition, organised by Ragnar Poulsen, of Blind Angle Gallery, runs until February 22 and bidding for the auction closes at 6pm on the same day.

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