Street artist DERF is currently working on his second graffiti artwork in downtown Langon, a town in the Gironde department of southwestern France. The artist is creating a portrait of a woman "in immersion" on a wall at Place de l'Horloge in the heart of old Langon, drawing admiration from passersby who stop to watch his work in progress.
"It's beautiful, don't you think?" commented one pedestrian on Wednesday morning, August 13, 2025, as DERF worked on his latest mural. This isn't the artist's first work in the area - he previously completed a woman's portrait on an EDF electrical facility next to the Langon fire station on Boulevard Jean-Moulin, establishing himself as a recognized figure in the local street art scene.
DERF, who originally hails from Cadaujac, has an impressive portfolio of public artworks throughout the region. In 2024, he painted a woman's portrait on the training wall of the Tennis Club Cadaujacais. His works have also been displayed in the gardens of Villenave-d'Ornon's city hall and can still be admired on bunkers at Cap Ferret and at an abandoned train station. "I've created between 30 and 40 works in the streets of Bordeaux and the CUB (Bordeaux Urban Community)," says the graffiti artist, who has been painting for about ten years.
Having recently moved to Langon just a few months ago, DERF has developed a unique working method that involves considerable risk-taking. "I spot a weathered wall that doesn't belong to private individuals or businesses. I bring an artistic touch to beautify the city," explains the artist. His approach is notably bold - he begins his artistic interventions without notifying anyone in advance.
"It's a risk you have to take when working in urban space," DERF acknowledges. "If residents or a municipality aren't happy, we discuss it and I can cover the work and repaint it white." This guerrilla-style approach reflects the traditional nature of street art, where artists often work without official permission, relying on community acceptance and municipal tolerance.
The current portrait of a woman, created with spray paint, belongs to DERF's series called "Portraits in Immersion." This thematic collection reflects the artist's deep connection to nature and the ocean. "I love everything related to the ocean," DERF explains. "I love spending time on the beach, being more connected with nature. My paintings reflect this relationship with the force of nature. They're there to bring calm, serenity; to detach from daily life, to find yourself face to face with yourself."
In addition to his portrait series, DERF also creates animal-themed artworks featuring tigers, octopuses, birds, pandas, and other creatures. Due to the summer heat wave, he adapts his working schedule to early morning sessions lasting 3 to 4 hours. The current portrait on Place de l'Horloge is expected to require between 15 and 20 hours of total work time to complete.
The reception from local residents has been overwhelmingly positive. When asked about the reaction from residents of the Horloge residence, DERF smiles and reports, "They told me they found it pretty." This community acceptance is crucial for street artists working in public spaces, as local support often determines whether artworks remain or are removed.
DERF's growing presence in the region represents a broader trend of street art gaining acceptance as a legitimate form of public art that can enhance urban environments. His work can be followed on Instagram at DERF-gallery, and through his website at derf.gallery, where viewers can see his complete portfolio of urban interventions and nature-inspired artworks.
