Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Monroe POPfolio - Photo Tear (24 x 24 Inch)
Summary
Photo Tear completes Mr Brainwash's 2022 Monroe POPfolio trio, a 24 x 24 inch giclée in an edition of 75 with 7 artist proofs. The composition treats the Marilyn Monroe image as a torn, distressed photograph, emphasizing the artist's collage sensibility. Straight-edged, hand-signed and thumb-printed with a Certificate of Authenticity; a 40 x 40 inch edition of 25 also exists.
Why It Matters
The torn-photograph treatment gives Photo Tear a sense of decay and immediacy that distinguishes it within the POPfolio. It reads as the most street-derived of the three, converting a glamour portrait into something weathered and posted-over, in keeping with Mr Brainwash's graffiti roots.
Collector Perspective
Collectors assembling the full 24-inch POPfolio set will want Photo Tear alongside Collage and Fragile for a complete triptych. At 75 plus 7 AP, supply is moderate; the giclée medium captures the frayed-edge detail effectively. The larger 40 x 40 inch edition of 25 remains the scarcer and more commanding format for those with wall space.
Historical Context
The distressed, torn-poster aesthetic connects Mr Brainwash to the décollage tradition of the mid-century affichistes as well as to street bill-posting culture. Applied to Monroe in the 2022 POPfolio, it continues his practice of routing Pop's celebrity subjects through the visual grammar of the urban wall.
FAQ
How does Photo Tear differ from the other POPfolio variants?
It renders the Monroe image as a torn, distressed photograph, giving it the most weathered, street-derived look of the trio.
What is the edition and size?
24 x 24 inches in an edition of 75 plus 7 AP, with a 40 x 40 inch edition of 25 plus 3 AP.
Is it a screenprint or giclée?
It is a giclée print with straight edges.
How is it authenticated?
It is signed and thumb-printed by the artist and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
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.