Invader
Biography
Invader, born Franck Slama in 1969 in Paris, France, is an influential street artist known for his pixelated mosaic artworks inspired by 1970s and 1980s video games. His pieces, featuring characters from games like "Space Invaders," "Pac-Man," and "Super Mario Bros.," are installed in cities worldwide. Invader's art began appearing on the streets in 1998, and he has since placed over 4,000 mosaics in more than 65 cities across the globe, from Paris to Hong Kong and New York.
Invader's innovative approach to street art includes "Rubikcubism," a technique he developed in the early 2000s that uses Rubik’s Cubes to create pixelated portraits and images. His works are often documented in "Invasion Guides" that map the locations of his pieces in various cities.
His exhibitions have spanned major cities, including solo shows at prestigious galleries like Le Feuvre & Roze in Paris and the Magda Danysz Gallery. Invader's work has also featured in high-profile events such as the Lyon Contemporary Art Biennale and the "Art in the Streets" exhibit at MoCA LA. Notably, he was included in the Banksy-directed documentary "Exit Through the Gift Shop".
Invader's art commands significant market interest, with his pieces fetching high prices at auctions. For example, a mosaic piece sold for $250,000 at Sotheby's in 2015. His work continues to be a prominent and playful commentary on the intersection of digital culture and urban environments.