Invader: The Pixel Rebel Taking Over Streets and Auction Houses
Invader is one of today’s most in-demand street artists. Explore rare editions, Rubikcubism, market data, and fractional access to his works with Collecto.
Invader is one of the most mysterious, innovative, and influential street artists of the contemporary era. Anonymous and originally from France, he gained global recognition in 1998 through his ceramic mosaics inspired by the Space Invaders video game. These pixelated artworks have appeared in over 85 countries—and even on the International Space Station. His global project, Space Invaders, blends art, play, and urban architecture, transforming public space into a creative platform. To collect Invader today is to engage with a cultural phenomenon that is global, digital, and steadily expanding.
A Pixel-Based Visual Language
Invader’s works are composed of ceramic tiles, each one acting as a pixel in his visual compositions. His style bridges the gap between classical mosaic techniques and digital imagery. The subjects vary from 8-bit aliens to reinterpretations of icons from contemporary pop culture—SpongeBob, David Bowie, Roy Lichtenstein, Warhol, and more.
Alongside his public art, Invader has developed parallel movements such as Rubikcubism, a practice that recreates famous images using Rubik’s Cubes; Invasion Kits, signed and numbered editions that allow collectors to participate in his “invasions”; and printed maps and guides that catalogue the locations of each mosaic—objects that have become collector’s items in their own right.
A Market on the Rise
Invader’s prints and ceramic editions have become increasingly sought after on the secondary market. From 2014 to 2024, his print price index grew by 49%, compared to just 0.8% for the FTSE 100. His works at auction are sold, on average, 29% above estimate. In 2024, print sales surpassed €321,000 at auction.
Several limited editions have produced strong returns: Alias LDN-01 (1999) (+30%), Aladdin Sane Blinky (2014) (+27%), and Prisoners (2007) are notable examples. The growing rarity of many editions has further strengthened market performance, with certain works already sold out and increasingly scarce in secondary markets.
Global Exhibitions and Public Visibility
Invader’s exhibitions continue to expand both in scale and visibility. Recent solo shows include Invader Space Station in Paris (2024), Camouflages & Devils Tower in Los Angeles (2023), 4000 in Paris (2022), and POI – Points of Invasions in New York (2021). His largest exhibition to date, Invader Space Station, occupied over 3,500 square meters across nine floors, complete with rooftop telescope installations for viewing Invader works scattered across the city.
His World Invasion project has become a global cultural movement, now featuring 4,283 registered mosaics across 85 countries. Each new installation generates media buzz, viral content, and social engagement. His Instagram account, with over 730,000 followers, amplifies every new release.
Invader offers a rare mix of street art, digital aesthetics, and scarcity. His physical works stem from a virtual imagination. His hidden identity, distinctive materials, and playful concepts create a collector base that spans traditional art buyers, gamers, and contemporary investors.
His cultural cachet continues to grow through critically acclaimed publications like 4000 – The Complete Guide to the Space Invaders and collaborations with curator Hans Ulrich Obrist. He’s an artist who not only creates art but cultivates a world around it—one that collectors want to be a part of.
Collecting Invader today means embracing an art form that is playful, surprising, and deeply embedded in the digital age. With Collecto, you can now access some of Invader’s most iconic works through fractional ownership—bringing the power of street art and global storytelling directly into the collections of tomorrow.
