Invader, the enigmatic French street artist, has become an iconic figure in the contemporary art world through his pixelated mosaic installations. Best known for his "Space Invader" project, Invader’s artworks pay homage to retro 8-bit video games and science fiction culture, while simultaneously reshaping the urban landscapes of cities across the globe.
Who is Invader?
Invader is the pseudonym of an anonymous artist born in Paris in 1969. While details about his personal life remain shrouded in secrecy, Invader’s distinctive mosaic art has left an undeniable mark on modern street art. A graduate of the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he began his artistic career in the late 1990s by installing ceramic tile mosaics inspired by pixelated video game characters.
To this day, Invader maintains his anonymity, often appearing masked or disguised in public. This elusive persona allows him to interact with his art unnoticed, even at his own exhibitions.
The Space Invader Project: A Global Phenomenon
The Space Invader project began in Paris in 1998 with a single mosaic depicting a character from the iconic 1978 video game Space Invaders. These works, composed of small ceramic tiles, resemble the pixelated graphics of vintage arcade games, transforming everyday urban environments into playful art installations.
Over time, Invader expanded his project beyond the streets of Paris, embarking on a mission to “invade” cities worldwide. To date, his mosaics adorn over 80 cities across more than 30 countries, including Tokyo, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Kathmandu, and New York. Each city features a unique collection of mosaics, and Invader documents these "waves of invasion" on an interactive online map titled World Invasion.
Invader’s work has appeared in unconventional locations, including underwater in Cancun Bay and aboard the International Space Station, where astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti brought one of his pieces in 2019.
Inspirations Behind Invader’s Work
Invader’s art is deeply rooted in nostalgia for 1980s pop culture and video games. He draws significant inspiration from the simplicity of early arcade game graphics, such as Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong. His installations often feature characters like Pac-Man ghosts and other 8-bit icons, reinterpreted as urban mosaics.
Beyond video game culture, Invader incorporates influences from science fiction and modern art. The artist cites the concept of the "ready-made," popularised by Marcel Duchamp, as a key influence. By taking recognisable symbols from gaming and science fiction and placing them in unexpected public spaces, Invader recontextualises these images, blending nostalgia with contemporary street art.
