Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Street Connoisseur - Keep It Real (Red)
Summary
Keep It Real, from Mr Brainwash's 2022 Street Connoisseur series, is a 20 x 16 inch work in the red colorway, an edition of 15 with 3 artist proofs. Built from a five-color screenprint with one hand-finished stencil layer on straight-edged archival paper, each impression is signed and thumb-printed. Blue and pink colorways were also released.
Why It Matters
Keep It Real carries a distinctly street-inflected message, and its 15-print edition makes it one of the artist's most limited formats. The hand-finished layer renders each sheet unique. The phrase itself reads as a knowing counterpoint to Mr Brainwash's much-debated authenticity as an artist, giving the piece a layer of self-referential wit.
Collector Perspective
At only 15 plus 3 AP per colorway, supply is scarce and each impression is individually finished. The slogan's directness makes it a favorite among collectors drawn to graffiti-vernacular text. Straight edges allow standard framing, and the three-colorway structure encourages set-building. Conservation-grade, acid-free framing is advised for the archival sheet.
Historical Context
'Keep It Real' is a phrase rooted in hip-hop and street culture, and its deployment here reflects Mr Brainwash's grounding in urban art movements. Within the 2022 Street Connoisseur series, it continues his method of translating vernacular slogans into hand-worked, small-edition gallery objects.
FAQ
What is the edition size?
15 impressions in red plus 3 artist proofs, with blue and pink colorways also available.
Is each print unique?
Yes, a hand-finished stencil layer over the five-color screenprint makes each impression distinct.
What are the dimensions?
20 x 16 inches on straight-edged archival paper.
How is it authenticated?
Each print is signed and thumb-printed by the artist 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.