Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Dear Mom College Ruled
Summary
Part of the 2021 'Dear Mom' series, this five-color screenprint on archival paper measures 26 x 22 inches in an edition of 75 with 7 APs. The hand-torn edges and layered screens frame a nostalgic, letter-to-mother theme rendered against the look of college-ruled notebook paper, a domestic motif that reads as both tender and playfully pop.
Why It Matters
The 'Dear Mom' works tap a sentimental, family-centered theme that broadens Mr Brainwash's usual celebrity-and-consumerism vocabulary. Five screens give the sheet real color depth, and the edition of 75 sits in the collectible mid-range. As one of two paper variants in the series, it invites collectors to pursue the notebook-motif pair as a set.
Collector Perspective
The notebook-paper concept differentiates this from generic pop editions, and the theme has broad gift and display appeal. Collectors often weigh the College Ruled and Composition versions side by side; owning both completes the studio conceit. Verify the hand-torn edges are intact, as trimming would materially affect desirability.
Historical Context
Mr Brainwash's 2021 releases increasingly leaned into universal emotional themes rather than pure celebrity portraiture. The 'Dear Mom' series fits that arc, translating a heartfelt written note into his exuberant screenprint idiom and reflecting a period when his editions frequently sold to a mix of first-time buyers and established collectors.
FAQ
How does this differ from the Composition version?
Both share the same size, color count, and edition, but this variant references college-ruled notebook paper while the other references a composition notebook cover.
What is the edition size?
An edition of 75 plus an AP edition of 7.
How many colors?
It is a five-color screenprint on archival paper.
Are the edges finished by hand?
Yes, the sheet has hand-torn edges, a hallmark of the studio's paper releases.
About the Artist
Mr. Brainwash is the pseudonym of Thierry Guetta, a French-born, Los Angeles-based street artist who rose to prominence through Banksy's 2010 documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. Originally a videographer who filmed street artists including Shepard Fairey and Banksy, Guetta reinvented himself as an artist, staging his ambitious 2008 debut show "Life Is Beautiful" in Los Angeles. His work draws heavily on pop-art appropriation, remixing icons such as Warhol, Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, and spray-paint splatters. He has produced album art and large-scale exhibitions across the U.S. and Europe.
Collecting Mr Brainwash at Gauntlet Gallery
What Mr. Brainwash prints should I buy first?
Start with hand-finished screenprints and stencil works from his named exhibitions, where each impression is signed, numbered, and often uniquely embellished with spray-paint or stamps. Smaller editions and show-related pieces from "Life Is Beautiful" and later gallery runs are the most recognizable entry points. At Gauntlet Gallery we prioritize pieces with clean condition and complete signing.
How is authenticity documented?
Gauntlet Gallery sells Mr. Brainwash works with documented studio provenance and the artist's own signature, numbering, and thumbprint or stamp where present. We photograph the exact piece you receive, including signature and edition details, so what you verify is what ships.
What drives value?
Value is driven by edition size, whether the piece is hand-embellished versus a flat print, subject popularity, condition, and provenance tied to a documented exhibition. Signed, low-numbered, and uniquely finished impressions command the strongest premiums.