Born Jean-François Perroy, the artist adopted the pseudonym Jef Aérosol and began his career in 1982. He emerged as a central figure in the French street art scene, working alongside contemporaries such as Blek le Rat and Speedy Graphito to establish stencil art as a prominent form of urban expression.

His practice primarily utilizes the stencil technique to create detailed, high-contrast portraits that often feature a signature red arrow. His subjects range from historical figures and musicians to ordinary people, frequently integrated into the textures of urban architecture.

Aérosol remains a significant figure in the international street art movement, with his works appearing in cities across Europe and beyond. His long-standing career has contributed to the institutionalization of graffiti as a recognized contemporary art form.