Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Life Is A Game
Summary
Life Is A Game is a three-color screen print from 2020, issued in a limited run of 75 at 30 x 30 inches on archival paper. Each impression is hand torn rather than machine cut, then signed and numbered, with the artist's thumbprint applied to the verso as a personal authentication mark.
Why It Matters
The piece distills Mr. Brainwash's populist optimism into a single aphorism, framing existence as playful rather than fixed. Its hand-torn edges and reverse thumbprint make each of the 75 physically distinct, converting a reproducible screen print into an object that resists the anonymity of the multiple.
Collector Perspective
An edition of 75 in a large square format sits at a friendly entry tier within Mr. Brainwash's catalog. Collectors should confirm the pencil signature, edition number, and rear thumbprint together, since the deckled edges are original to the release and should never be trimmed to look 'clean.'
Historical Context
Released in 2020, the print belongs to the wave of hopeful, text-forward editions Mr. Brainwash pushed during a turbulent year. It extends the affirmational vocabulary he built after his 2008 emergence, when Thierry Guetta's transformation into a gallery phenomenon was chronicled in Banksy's Exit Through the Gift Shop.
FAQ
How large is Life Is A Game?
It measures 30 x 30 inches on archival paper, a square format printed in three colors.
What makes each impression unique?
Every print is hand torn rather than cut, signed and numbered, and carries the artist's thumbprint on the back.
How many were produced?
The limited edition is stated at 75 impressions.
Should the torn edges be trimmed?
No. The hand-torn deckle is intentional to the release and part of the work's character; trimming diminishes it.
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.