Gauntlet Gallery — Mr Brainwash Print & Edition Index
American Hero
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Released in 2019 to honor Muhammad Ali on what would have been his 77th birthday, American Hero shows the boxing legend embraced by the American flag in the ring. This screen print measures 50 x 38 inches in an edition of 77, the number deliberately echoing Ali's birthday milestone.
Collector notes: Edition of 5 according to the saved release record. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered; artist thumbprint on the reverse. Verify each feature on the physical copy.
Why It Matters
The edition of 77 is a pointed tribute, tying the run size directly to Ali's would-be 77th birthday. Depicting one of the 20th century's most consequential athletes and cultural figures wrapped in the flag, the print operates as both sports homage and a statement on American identity and legacy.
Collector Perspective
The deliberate edition of 77 gives the print a built-in narrative that collectors appreciate, and the diamond-dust element adds surface sparkle prized in MBW's more decorative works. Ali's cross-generational fame gives American Hero appeal to sports and cultural collectors alike, not just dedicated street-art followers.
Historical Context
Muhammad Ali, who died in 2016, transcended boxing to become a global symbol of conviction and social conscience. Artists from Andy Warhol onward have rendered his image. Mr. Brainwash's flag-embrace composition places Ali within the pantheon of American icons his practice repeatedly celebrates.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned screenprint
- Release date
- 2019-01-17
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release date from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Series
- Other Editioned Works
- Medium and materials
- Screen Print; catalog dimensions 50 x 38 inches; five-color screenprint; diamond dust; archival paper.
- Edition details
- Edition of 5 according to the saved release record.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered; artist thumbprint on the reverse. Verify each feature on the physical copy.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: The studio dates Mr Brainwash's first Life Is Beautiful solo exhibition to 18 June 2008; this page treats that as career context, not proof that the present edition appeared in that exhibition.
Meaning / interpretation: The studio describes the practice as combining street-art energy, pop-culture imagery and positive messaging. Subject-specific intent or endorsement is not assumed unless a release or collaboration source states it. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2019-01-17 and attributes the edition to Mr Brainwash (Self Released).
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- No certificate is stated in the saved release description. For an individual copy, compare the support, dimensions, edition number, signature, thumbprint and any studio or gallery paperwork. The studio says it cannot guarantee works bought from external vendors.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the legacy record to Mr Brainwash (Self Released). That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence and condition photographs.
Related Artists and Exhibitions
- Life Is Beautiful — first solo exhibition — CBS Columbia Square, Hollywood · 18 June 2008 · Artist-career context; the source does not establish that this later edition was exhibited
Videos
- Official video archive — ARTE and Los Angeles Times features — Mr Brainwash studio · Artist process and exhibition context; not release-specific
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; official studio policy and career context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-12 · Starting record for title, date, edition, dimensions, medium, release price and release description. Public access was unavailable during this audit, so primary confirmation remains pending.
- Studio FAQ — certificates and web orders — Mr Brainwash studio · primary artist policy · Accessed 2026-07-12 · The studio says it issues COAs only for works after January 2021 and will not backdate earlier works.
- Collector authentication disclaimer — Mr Brainwash studio · primary artist policy · Accessed 2026-07-12 · The studio does not guarantee externally purchased works and directs collectors to the relevant reseller or gallery.
- About Mr Brainwash — Mr Brainwash studio · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-12 · Studio biography and artist-level context; it is not an individual-edition record.
- Life Is Beautiful — first solo exhibition — Mr Brainwash studio · primary artist archive · Accessed 2026-07-12 · Studio history of the 18 June 2008 debut exhibition, which included prints among several media.
FAQ
What is the documented edition structure?
Edition of 5 according to the saved release record.
Which signature or authentication features are documented?
The saved release record describes: signed; numbered; artist thumbprint on the reverse. Verify each feature on the physical copy. No certificate is stated in the saved release description. For an individual copy, compare the support, dimensions, edition number, signature, thumbprint and any studio or gallery paperwork. The studio says it cannot guarantee works bought from external vendors.
Is original packaging documented?
Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
How certain are the release details?
The date, edition, dimensions, medium and original-release description come from a saved secondary catalog record. Official studio sources on this page support artist-level context and current authentication policy, but not every release-level field.
