Laika 1954 is an Italian street artist. The name references the first living being to reach space, the dog Laika, born in 1954. There is also a nod to Leica, the famous camera brand.

Choosing Laika as an artistic alias is linked to the concept of “aiming for space,” never setting limits. Aiming for space also allows one to observe the world from a distance, gaining a broader, unrestricted perspective.

Laika has decided to keep their identity hidden by wearing a mask. Anonymity grants greater creative freedom and shifts the focus away from personal aspects of their life, directing attention solely to their messages—messages that advocate for human, social, and civil rights. Laika is the idea, the message you find pasted or painted on city walls.

Laika began their artistic journey in the spring of 2019, initially putting up stickers in their hometown, Rome. International recognition came in early 2020 with two of their most famous works:

• Jenesuispasunvirus, one of the world’s first artworks related to COVID-19, denouncing racism against the Chinese community before the pandemic outbreak.
• L’Abbraccio (The Hug), a widely recognized poster dedicated to Patrick Zaki and Giulio Regeni, placed near the Egyptian Embassy in Rome.

Laika continues to establish themselves as an ARTIVIST (artist and activist), without abandoning a touch of irony in works such as:

• Ogni 3 giorni, against femicide.
• Il Golpe Fallito, a strong critique of the Super League.
• Life Is Not A Game, a 2021 project in Bosnia addressing the plight of migrants on the Balkan Route.
• MIR, advocating for peace between Ukrainians and Russians.
• Save Afghan Women, against the compulsory burqa in Afghanistan.
• 2023: Mia nonna partigiana è ancora arrabbiata, criticizing Senate President La Russa on April 25.
• Viva Nos Queremos!, a poster created for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
• Ricordatemi come vi pare, a 100-square-meter mural in Rome, in collaboration with Arcigay, celebrating a Sardinian writer.
• Italianità, celebrating Paola Egonu and the national volleyball team, reigniting the political debate on Ius Soli.

Many of their works have gained worldwide recognition.

The mysterious allure of this almost “genderless” figure has led many to dub them “the Italian Banksy,” a title mostly attributed by the international press. Their mask and obsessive pursuit of anonymity have shaped a character that defies classification, fueling widespread curiosity.

Laika’s work has been the subject of the documentary Life Is (Not) A Game, directed by Antonio Valerio Spera and premiered at the 17th Rome Film Festival. The screening sold out in less than 48 hours.

Their exhibitions include:

• Palazzo Albergati in Bologna.
• Palazzo Gromo Losa and Palazzo Ferrero in Biella.
• J Museum in Jesolo, in the collective show Jago, Banksy, TV Boy, and Other Countercurrent Stories.
• WopArt Fair in Lugano, Switzerland.
• Museo Regional Valle de Juárez in Mexico.

They recently concluded their first solo exhibition, Art Is (Not) A Game, at Rosso20sette Gallery in Rome, which sold out entirely.

Laika was awarded “Protagonist of the Year 2023” at the Nastri d’Argento documentary awards and received the Art and Human Rights Award from Amnesty International.

Their traveling project States of Injustice, created in the United States (California, Texas, and the Tijuana border), was exhibited from March 9 to April 13, 2024, at Rosso20sette Gallery in Rome, in a collective show alongside Obey and Keith Haring, titled ROund trip in tiME.

In 2024, Laika’s piece мир – PACE Atto II (created on March 8, 2022, and dedicated to Russian and Ukrainian women against war) will become part of the permanent collection at the MOCO Museum in Amsterdam.

From May to September 2024, Laika will participate in the prestigious collective exhibition MASKS at the Serlachius Museum in Mänttä, Finland, alongside artists such as Paul Gauguin, Alberto Giacometti, Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, Ai Weiwei, Giovanni Gastel, Luigi Ontani, and Delphine Diallo. The exhibition is curated by Dr. Lorella Scacco.

In February 2025, Laika’s poster “Ila Resisti” will be featured as the cover of the book Vipera by Ilaria Salis, published by Feltrinelli Editore.

Starting March 21, 2025, the artist will exhibit a selection of sketches of their most significant works at Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, as part of “LIBRI COME,” the festival of books and reading.


PRESSBOOK: Download PDF