Gauntlet Gallery — Mr Brainwash Print & Edition Index
Happy Birthday Champ
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Happy Birthday Champ is a 2020 limited-edition print on paper measuring 32 x 44 inches, released in an edition of 78 with an AP edition of 7. Made for Muhammad Ali's 78th birthday, it captures the boxer mid-action in the ring, celebrating him at the height of his craft.
Collector notes: Artist's-proof edition of 7; the same release record also describes a standard edition of 78. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered; artist thumbprint on the reverse. Verify each feature on the physical copy.
Why It Matters
Tying the edition size of 78 directly to Ali's 78th birthday is a characteristic Mr. Brainwash flourish that fuses concept and scarcity. The dynamic in-ring composition and large 32 x 44 format make it one of the more energetic celebrity tributes in this group.
Collector Perspective
The birthday-linked edition of 78 gives the run a built-in narrative, and this artist-proof example comes from the scarcer AP tier of 7. Collectors should verify the pencil signature and 'AP' designation. The large horizontal format is a strong display piece for sports and pop-culture collections.
Historical Context
Released in 2020 to honor Muhammad Ali's 78th birthday, this print continues Mr. Brainwash's tradition of celebrity homages timed to milestone anniversaries. Ali's cultural stature as athlete and icon makes him a natural subject for the artist's populist, hero-celebrating vocabulary.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned screenprint
- Release date
- 2020-01-17
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release date from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Series
- Sport & Cultural Icons
- Medium and materials
- Screen Print; catalog dimensions 32 x 44 inches; one-color screenprint; archival paper.
- Edition details
- Artist's-proof edition of 7; the same release record also describes a standard edition of 78.
- 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 2020-01-17 and attributes the edition to Mr Brainwash (Self Released). The saved release copy frames it as a birthday tribute edition.
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.
Known conflicts or unresolved points:
- Legacy Artist Proof record carried the regular edition size of 78; the saved description states 7 APs.
FAQ
What is the documented edition structure?
Artist's-proof edition of 7; the same release record also describes a standard edition of 78.
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.
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