Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Pow! Pow!
Summary
Pow! Pow! is a five-color screen print on hand-torn archival art paper, released in 2015 in an edition of 75 at 22.5 by 30 inches. Described as the final, previously unreleased print from Mr. Brainwash's 2013 toy-gun series, each sheet is signed and numbered with a verso thumbprint.
Why It Matters
As the closing print of the toy-gun set, Pow! Pow! completes a defined thematic group, which gives it appeal to collectors assembling series. Its comic-book onomatopoeia and playful-yet-loaded subject sit squarely in MBW's pop-appropriation vocabulary, where cartoon violence is defanged into decoration.
Collector Perspective
The edition of 75 is tighter than many MBW releases, and its status as a series capstone adds thematic weight. Buyers should verify the print completes the toy-gun set as described, confirm signature and numbering, and check the thumbprint verso. The horizontal 22.5 x 30 orientation should match the sheet as issued.
Historical Context
The toy-gun series originated in 2013, and this release surfaced the final unrealized image two years later. Such delayed or held-back editions are common in MBW's practice and offer collectors a way to close out a body of work that had otherwise been considered complete.
FAQ
Why is Pow! Pow! notable within the series?
It is described as the last, previously unreleased print from Mr. Brainwash's 2013 toy-gun series.
What is the edition size?
Pow! Pow! was issued in an edition of 75, signed and numbered.
How many colors were used?
It is a five-color screen print on hand-torn archival art paper.
Does it carry a thumbprint?
Yes, each sheet bears Mr. Brainwash's thumbprint on the back as his authentication mark.
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.