Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Stay Safe (Red)
Summary
Released around Marilyn Monroe's June 1st birthday in 2020, 'Stay Safe' is a two-color screenprint at 22 x 22 inches in an edition of 50, hand-torn, signed, and numbered with a thumbprint on the back. This Red variant pairs a Monroe tribute with a timely public-health message rendered in a spare, graphic palette.
Why It Matters
The Monroe connection places this within Mr Brainwash's celebrity-icon lineage while the 'Stay Safe' phrase anchors it firmly to 2020. The restrained two-color palette is unusually minimal for the artist, the edition of 50 is genuinely limited, and the birthday-tribute framing gives the release a specific occasion and story.
Collector Perspective
Collectors of both Monroe imagery and topical 2020 works find dual appeal here, and the edition of 50 supports scarcity. The Red variant pairs with a Blue counterpart for set-seekers. The two-color simplicity makes condition and clean printing especially visible, so inspect the torn edges and back-side thumbprint carefully.
Historical Context
Marilyn Monroe has been a fixture of pop art since Warhol, and Mr Brainwash frequently returns to iconic celebrity portraits. Anchoring a Monroe tribute to a 2020 'Stay Safe' message merged pop nostalgia with the public-health mood of the moment, a characteristic blend of the timeless and the topical.
FAQ
Why the June 1st timing?
The release marked Marilyn Monroe's birthday on June 1st.
How many colors?
Two colors, an unusually spare palette for the artist.
Is there another color variant?
Yes, this Red version is paired with a Blue counterpart.
What is the edition size?
An edition of 50, hand-torn, signed, and thumb-printed on the back.
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.