Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Happy Birthday Elvis! - Cadillac King
Summary
Cadillac King is a first-edition print from the 2019 Happy Birthday Elvis series, a hand-finished screen print measuring 30.5 x 46 inches in an edition of 50. It pairs the King of Rock and Roll with automotive iconography, remastering the classic Elvis image for a new series of works on paper.
Why It Matters
The Cadillac motif fuses two mid-century American symbols, the King and the car, into a single nostalgic image. Where art and music collide is exactly the territory Mr. Brainwash favors, and this first-edition treatment establishes a new take on Elvis distinct from the Jailhouse Pop compositions in the same series.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 50 with hand finishing, Cadillac King sits in the accessible-to-mid tier of the Elvis group. Its first-edition status and the wide 30.5 x 46-inch landscape format give it a distinct profile. Collectors assembling the Elvis series often pair it with the Jailhouse Pop variants for thematic completeness.
Historical Context
The Cadillac and Elvis are entwined in American mythology, from the pink Cadillac he famously gifted his mother to the car's status as a postwar prosperity symbol. Mr. Brainwash's composition draws on that shared iconography, extending pop art's long fascination with both celebrity and consumer objects.
FAQ
What is the edition size?
Cadillac King is a hand-finished screen print in an edition of 50.
What are the dimensions?
It measures 30.5 x 46 inches in a wide landscape format.
What series is it from?
It belongs to the 2019 Happy Birthday Elvis release.
What does the image combine?
It pairs Elvis Presley with Cadillac automotive iconography.
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.