Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Stay Strong | Germany Edition (First Edition)
Summary
Stay Strong (Germany Edition) is a 2020 silkscreen on paper at roughly 30 x 22 inches, issued in an edition of 85 plus 5 artist proofs, signed and numbered. It carries Mr. Brainwash's rallying 'Stay Strong' message tailored to a German audience during a period of collective hardship.
Why It Matters
The Stay Strong series became one of the artist's most recognizable pandemic-era gestures, offering encouragement as public art. Localizing it for Germany deepened its resonance, turning a broad slogan into a message that felt addressed directly to a specific community facing the same crisis.
Collector Perspective
With 85 in the standard run and only 5 APs, the artist-proof tier is notably scarce. Collectors should verify pencil signature, numbering, and any 'AP' inscription. The regional 'Germany Edition' designation differentiates this from parallel Stay Strong releases and can matter for provenance-minded buyers.
Historical Context
Issued in 2020, this print sits within the internationally distributed Stay Strong campaign Mr. Brainwash mounted during COVID-19. It reflects his tendency to meet moments of anxiety with high-visibility optimism, a stance rooted in the crowd-pleasing spectacle of his earliest Los Angeles shows.
FAQ
What is the edition size?
The Germany Edition is an edition of 85 plus 5 artist proofs, signed and numbered.
What are the dimensions?
It measures approximately 30 x 22 inches (76 x 57 cm).
What makes it the 'Germany Edition'?
It is a region-specific version of the Stay Strong series aimed at a German audience.
How scarce are the artist proofs?
Only 5 APs were produced, making that tier considerably rarer than the main 85 run.
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.