Gauntlet Gallery — Invader Print Index
Invasion Map Djerba
Summary
Released in 2021 through Galerie Itinerrance, the Djerba Invasion Map documents Invader's mosaic campaign on the Tunisian island of Djerba. This offset lithograph on thick, unfolded paper is distinguished by a hand-burnt treatment that mimics the charred edges of an antique pirate chart, tying the map imagery to a maritime narrative in an edition of 100.
Why It Matters
Invasion Maps are the connective tissue of Invader's practice, cataloguing where his ceramic works were physically installed. Djerba stands apart because the artist introduced hand-burning as a finishing process, elevating a printed document into an object of controlled damage. The technique makes each of the 100 copies individually variable rather than strictly identical.
Collector Perspective
Collectors focused on Invader value the Invasion Map series as primary-source records of specific city campaigns. Djerba's appeal rests on the hand-burnt edges, which mean no two impressions match exactly, an unusual trait in an edition print. It is hand-numbered, dated, and signed, and its unfolded format supports flat presentation and framing.
Historical Context
The Invasion Map tradition runs throughout Invader's career, publishing the geography of his street installations city by city. The 2021 Djerba edition connects to his broader activity in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Its pirate-chart conceit reframes documentation as adventure narrative, a recurring instinct in Invader's playful engagement with place and travel.
FAQ
What makes each Djerba Invasion Map unique?
The artist hand-burnt each copy to imitate old pirate maps, so the shape and pattern of the burns differs on every one of the 100 impressions, making each individually distinct.
How was it printed and signed?
It is an offset lithograph on thick paper, hand-numbered, dated, and signed by the artist, published in a limited edition of 100 by Galerie Itinerrance.
Is the print folded?
No. It is printed on thick paper and issued unfolded, which supports flat framing and display.
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.