Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Happy Birthday To Me
Summary
Happy Birthday To Me (First Edition) is a 2019 five-color screen print by Mr. Brainwash on hand-torn archival art paper, measuring 30 x 22.5 inches in an edition of 93. Released to mark Marilyn Monroe's June 1st birthday, it features the blonde bombshell in a new Pop-art portrait series from the artist.
Why It Matters
The five-color process gives the portrait notable depth, and Monroe's status as the quintessential Pop muse ties the work to a rich lineage of celebrity portraiture. Framing the release around her birthday adds a commemorative hook, personalizing an otherwise iconic subject.
Collector Perspective
The hand-torn deckle edges and five-color build signal production care, and the edition of 93 keeps it reasonably available while defined. At 30 x 22.5 inches it is a display-friendly portrait format. Monroe's enduring popularity gives the print broad, cross-collector appeal beyond dedicated Brainwash followers.
Historical Context
Marilyn Monroe, born June 1, 1926, has been central to Pop portraiture since Warhol. Brainwash's 2019 birthday tribute continues his engagement with her image, and the hand-torn paper and multi-color printing reflect the production approach he favored across his editions of the period.
FAQ
Who is the subject?
Marilyn Monroe, celebrated here on her June 1st birthday in a Pop-art portrait series.
How many colors and what paper?
It is a five-color screen print on hand-torn archival art paper.
What is the size and edition?
It measures 30 x 22.5 inches in an edition of 93.
What is the birthday reference?
The title and release commemorate Monroe's birthday, framing the portrait as a celebratory tribute.
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.