Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Hearts Spray (Blue)
Summary
"Hearts Spray (Blue)" is a 2017 steel spray-can sculpture in an edition of 260, measuring 7.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches. Inspired by Mr. Brainwash's signature heart designs, each empty can is printed with an original label and contains no paint or gas, functioning as a collectible object.
Why It Matters
The piece pairs the artist's most recognizable motif, the heart, with the spray can, the defining tool of graffiti culture. That combination makes it a compact emblem of Mr. Brainwash's identity: street-art form married to love imagery, delivered as a sculptural collectible rather than a print.
Collector Perspective
At 260 units, the spray cans are among the artist's more available editions, but their object format and shelf-ready scale give them appeal distinct from prints. The blue "Hearts Spray" colorway suits collectors of the heart motif and pairs naturally with companion cans like the red "Can I Love You." Confirm the label and edition marking.
Historical Context
Reimagining the spray can as art object connects to the wider street-art practice of elevating graffiti's core tool into collectible form. Mr. Brainwash's heart motif, central to his public persona, makes this 2017 release a concise statement of his signature imagery in three dimensions.
FAQ
Is the can functional?
No, each can is empty and contains no paint or gas; it is a collectible object.
What is the edition size?
It was issued in an edition of 260.
What is it made of?
It is made from steel and printed with an original label.
What is the design based on?
It draws on Mr. Brainwash's signature heart designs.
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.