Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
President's Day - Punk
Summary
"President's Day - Punk" is a 2018 screen print in an edition of 50, measuring 22 x 18 inches. Part of the President's Day series honoring George Washington, the Punk variant isolates one of the four poses Mr. Brainwash designed, giving the founding father an irreverent street-culture treatment.
Why It Matters
The Punk variant is the most subversive read on Washington in the series, collapsing founding-father gravitas with punk attitude in a way that typifies Mr. Brainwash's remix sensibility. That tension between reverence and irreverence is central to his appeal and makes this the edgiest entry in the set.
Collector Perspective
At 50 impressions in a compact format, the Punk variant tends to draw collectors who favor the more provocative interpretation over the straight portrait. It pairs naturally with the other President's Day single-pose editions for a full set. Verify the specific pose, signature, and numbering before acquiring.
Historical Context
Recasting historical authority figures through subculture aesthetics is a well-worn street-art move, from punk collage to graffiti. Mr. Brainwash's Punk Washington sits in that lineage, using the President's Day occasion to juxtapose national heritage with counterculture styling.
FAQ
What makes the Punk variant distinct?
It gives George Washington an irreverent punk-styled treatment, the edgiest pose in the series.
What is the edition size?
It was issued in an edition of 50.
What are the dimensions?
The print measures 22 x 18 inches.
Does it belong to a larger set?
Yes, it is one of the President's Day single-pose variants.
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.