Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Happy Birthday Elvis! – Jailhouse Pop (Small) (Pink Splash)
Summary
From the 2019 Happy Birthday Elvis series, Jailhouse Pop (Small) (Pink Splash) is a one-color hand-finished screen print with diamond dust on archival paper, sized at 24 x 22 inches in an edition of 50. Each impression is signed, numbered, and carries the artist's verso thumbprint.
Why It Matters
Elvis Presley is a foundational figure in Mr. Brainwash's music pantheon, and the Jailhouse Pop treatment ties directly to Jailhouse Rock, one of the King's signature songs and films. The pink splash and diamond dust give this small-format work a lively, hand-worked surface within a numbered edition.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 50 in the smaller 24 x 22-inch format, this is a more accessible entry in the Elvis series than the larger black-drip variant. The acrylic hand finishing and diamond dust mean surface variation between impressions, and collectors distinguish this Pink Splash version from the series' other colorways.
Historical Context
Jailhouse Rock, the 1957 song and film, cemented Elvis as rock and roll's defining star. Elvis has been a magnet for pop artists since Warhol's silver screenprints of the 1960s. Mr. Brainwash's birthday series continues that tradition of returning to the King as a perennial cultural touchstone.
FAQ
What is the edition size?
Jailhouse Pop (Small) (Pink Splash) was issued in an edition of 50.
What is the size?
The print measures 24 x 22 inches, the smaller format in the Jailhouse series.
How is it finished?
It is a one-color hand-finished screen print with diamond dust, signed, numbered, and thumbprinted on the back.
What song does the title reference?
The title nods to Jailhouse Rock, one of Elvis Presley's signature works.
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.