Jef Aérosol unveils his "Interstices" in a free exhibition worth seeing in the 13th arrondissement — our photos

His stencils that adorn and elevate the walls of numerous cities across France and around the world are well recognized by street art enthusiasts. In Paris, one of his most striking works is undoubtedly “Chuuuttt!!!”, a self-portrait you can admire at the Place Igor Stravinsky, just a short walk from the Centre Pompidou.

For over 40 years now, Jef Aérosol has been delighting and surprising audiences with his stencil art created using spray paint, featuring a gallery of men, women, and children whose eyes reflect a deeply humanist perspective. Coming from the first wave of street art in the 1980s, Jef Aérosol is now recognized as one of the pioneering and leading figures of this artistic movement.

Three and a half years after hosting a remarkable exhibition in the 13th arrondissement that showcased hundreds of works, Galerie Mathgoth is once again highlighting the art of Jef Aérosol. This time, the event will run from March 12 to April 18, 2026, in the gallery’s temporary space in Paris. Located on Alphonse Boudard Street, this raw concrete space of over 300 square meters previously hosted a stunning exhibition dedicated to Miss.Tic last year.

This spring, it’s the turn of Jef Aérosol’s latest works to be unveiled. For the occasion, the French stencil artist presents Interstices, a new and free exhibition that brings together his two artistic passions: urban art and music. While creating new paintings in his studio, Jef Aérosol was also composing, writing, and recording an album of fourteen songs. Released on March 12, 2026, it marks his very first French-language album. Until now, Jef Aérosol—who picked up his first guitar at age 12—preferably expressed himself in English through various collaborative projects, including the band Open Road.

This time, it is in Molière’s language that Jef Aérosol has chosen to reveal himself. As a result, the focus is on the text. Some songs address societal and global issues, others are more autobiographical, and several are purely fictional.

And it is through song that we are welcomed into the gallery. In the entrance of the temporary space, a screen continuously shows several of the artist’s new songs, including the music video for "Autour de moi". The musician and singer discusses the various objects that have surrounded and accompanied him for many years — guitars, a Formica chair, an old amplifier, harmonicas, Clash cassette tapes, a Bob Dylan vinyl, a vintage tape recorder, and even a lava lamp from the Woodstock era. All these items belong to the artist and are beautifully displayed, hanging on a large wall near the entrance. Just nearby, a giant self-portrait of Jef Aérosol with his guitar, created especially for this occasion, captures attention.

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The exhibition continues as visitors ascend a few wooden steps. The Mathgoth Gallery showcases around thirty entirely new paintings by Jef Aérosol, echoing the 14 tracks from his latest album, such as "Lotus Motel" and "Les Pavés du Vieux-Lille." Fans of the stencil artist will surely notice a significant evolution in his style, with more pronounced layering, although the stencil remains at the core of his work.

The unique aspect of this twofold project also lies in the way visitors experience it. QR codes linked to each artwork allow guests to listen to the songs from the album. To fully immerse yourself in the experience, it’s recommended to bring your smartphone along with headphones or earbuds. For those without, three listening stations are available on-site. Additionally, it’s worth taking a moment to relax in the dedicated room that screens reports and documentaries about the artist.

This project is undoubtedly the most intimate and personal one Jef Aérosol has ever undertaken. The stencil artist, who is opening up more than ever, now aims to focus on what truly matters. More than just an exhibition blending music and visual art, "Interstices" invites visitors into a space where image and sound interact and enrich each other.

Mark your calendars from March 12 to April 18, 2026, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, for the debut of Interstices, the latest free exhibition by Jef Aérosol. The show is open to visitors from Wednesday to Saturday, between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Please note that since admission is free, there may be crowds, and wait times to enter the gallery can vary depending on the day and time. For collectors, the Mathgoth gallery is offering four signed art prints, available in open edition, at a price of 50 euros each.