“What I do and create is more important than who exactly I am.”

—Invader

Initially gaining prominence in the late 1990s, Invader – the pseudonym used by the anonymous French street artist – is best known for his pixelated mosaic designs inspired by retro video games as well as iconic figures from popular culture.

Executed in 2015, Invader’s Bruce Lee commands attention with this life-sized portrayal of Bruce Lee. Rendered in Invader’s signature style, the pixelated figure is crystalised in the iconic Bruce Lee pose. Despite its pixelated form, Lee’s likeness is indisputable, a testament to the strength of his image as a cultural icon. Combining the iconic imagery of Bruce Lee with the pixelated aesthetic of classic 80s video games, the present work captivates the viewer with its fusion of pop culture and contemporary art. Invader’s intuitive approach to street art, not only pays homage to pioneers of video game design but also subverts traditional notions of artistry and craftmanship. Invader’s work is forward thinking with the artist believing that ‘street art is becoming the most important art movement of the 21^st century’ this work contemplates the intersections of art, culture, and technology.ⁱ

Originally executed for an urban exhibition Wipe Out in Hong Kong, Invader explains that he often works alongside local craftsman and takes inspiration from local culture. His work acts as a ‘new way of communicating with different cityscapes, different audiences and of course to research and understand the locale.’ⁱⁱ An integral element to Invader’s work is the decision to install his works in public spaces, directly confronting established conventions around the presentation and definition of so-called ‘high-art’. Invader currently has 3,960 murals in situ across 79 cities and 6 continents, the artist describing his oeuvre as ‘an endless project’ attempting to redefine the future of art.ⁱⁱⁱ

ⁱTammy Kwan, Space Invader: Street Artist Turns Hong Kong into 1980S Video Games, CNN, May 14^th, 2015, online.

ⁱⁱTammy Kwan, Space Invader: Street Artist Turns Hong Kong into 1980S Video Games, CNN, May 14^th, 2015, online.

ⁱⁱⁱTammy Kwan, Space Invader: Street Artist Turns Hong Kong into 1980S Video Games, CNN, May 14^th, 2015, online.