Gauntlet Gallery — Invader Print Index
Aladdin Sane (Gold)
Summary
"Aladdin Sane (Gold)" is a 2014 three-colour hand-pulled screenprint on Somerset black 400gsm paper, published by Pictures On Walls at 46.8 x 44.9 cm in an edition of 30. Foiled eyes, metallic ink and embossing render David Bowie's famous lightning-bolt persona in Invader's pixelated mosaic idiom, blending pop tribute with tactile finishing.
Why It Matters
At just 30 impressions with metallic-foil and embossed detailing, this is one of Invader's most technically elaborate and scarce editions. Its Pictures On Walls provenance places it among the celebrated London print releases of the era, and the Bowie subject bridges music iconography with the artist's video-game visual language, giving it crossover collector appeal.
Collector Perspective
Collectors are drawn to the edition of 30, the black Somerset stock, and the labour-intensive foiling and embossing that make each sheet a physical object rather than a flat print. The Pictures On Walls chop is a recognised marker of the period. Because the finishing is delicate, surface condition, foil integrity and clean embossing are decisive to the piece's standing.
Historical Context
Pictures On Walls, the London publisher associated with Banksy and the urban-art print boom, released this homage to Bowie's 1973 Aladdin Sane. Invader reimagines the lightning bolt in tiled pixels, a nod to the arcade era. The gold variant, with its metallic and embossed treatment, sits among the more ambitious productions of his early-2010s print output.
FAQ
How small is the edition?
Only 30 impressions were produced, signed and numbered by the artist.
What special finishing does it have?
A three-colour hand-pulled screenprint on black Somerset paper with foiled eyes, metallic ink and embossing.
Who published it?
Pictures On Walls, the London print house of that era.
What is the subject?
A pixelated tribute to David Bowie's Aladdin Sane lightning-bolt persona.
About the Artist
Invader (born 1969, France) is a pseudonymous French urban artist known for installing mosaic works inspired by 1970s-80s arcade video games, most famously the aliens from Space Invaders. Since the late 1990s he has "invaded" cities worldwide, cementing tile mosaics onto walls and mapping each installation as part of a global game. His studio output extends the pixel aesthetic into prints, "Rubikcubism" works made from Rubik's Cubes, aluminum pieces, and alias-signed editions. He remains anonymous, appearing publicly only masked.
Collecting Invader at Gauntlet Gallery
What Invader works can I collect?
Beyond street mosaics, Invader releases signed, numbered editions — screenprints, giclées, aluminum and Rubikcubism works — plus his "Invasion Kits." Signed and numbered studio editions are the collectible core. Gauntlet Gallery focuses on complete, well-preserved impressions with documentation.
How is an Invader piece authenticated?
We sell Invader works with documented provenance and the edition's signature and numbering. Each piece is photographed exactly as it ships, including signature and edition details, so you can verify before buying.
What drives value?
Medium (unique Rubikcubism and aluminum works over open prints), edition size, iconic imagery, condition, and provenance all shape price. Hand-made and low-numbered pieces command the strongest premiums.