French Street Artist Invader's London Tea Drinker Mosaic removed
Earlier this week while on our way to one of our favorite coffee spot, Brooklyn Coffee on Commercial Street, our attention was drawn to the workman stood in front of the recently installed mosaic artwork installed by French street artist Invader.
French Street Artist Invader in London
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The work by the French street artist was one of 12 new works he installed in London last month as part of his 18th invasion of this city (Previously on Hookedblog). The mosaic work pictured above titled LND_147 or 'The Tea Drinker' as nicknamed by fans was a much-loved piece despite its short life span.
As we got closer to the workmen it was evident that they were removing the Invader work from the wall. It is not often that we witness let alone photograph the removal of a street piece.
As we got closer to the workmen it was evident that they were removing the Invader work from the wall. It is not often that we witness let alone photograph the removal of a street piece.
By its nature most street art is ephemeral and the ever-changing nature of street-level work is something that we have become accustomed to but Invader's carefully selected locations high above the streets have traditionally ensured that his works have had a much longer life span than other street works.
Unfortunately, there was no going back as at this point they had chiseled away over half the work and it was beyond rescue. We spoke to the two workmen and asked why to which they responded that they were employed by the building owner who had instructed them to remove the blue/white/red mosaic affixed to a building.
They asked why so many people were stopping to take photographs and I explained to them it was the work of a well know street artist. Had they known they said they would have attempted to get the owner to keep the work but with the mosaic smashed in pieces on the ground it was too late.
The worker removing the Invader mosaic street art piece.
Invader tile dust!
Invader tile dust!
All that was left of Invader LDN_147 was the adhesive on the wall.
We shot a short video which was broadcast live on Hookedblog's Periscope while the worker was removing the work and have posted a version of it to Hookedblog's Youtube page.
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French Street Artist Invader's London Invasion.
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