Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
The King Pele - Bicycle
Summary
The King Pele - Bicycle is the large-format centrepiece of Mr. Brainwash's 2016 Pele collaboration. A five-colour screenprint on hand-torn archival paper, hand-finished by the artist, it measures 36 x 48 inches in an edition of 75. Each print is signed by both Pele and Mr. Brainwash, numbered, and thumb-printed on the verso.
Why It Matters
This is the most ambitious print in the Pele group: the largest sheet, the richest colour build, and a subject depicting the bicycle kick, arguably football's most iconic move. The combination of scale, five-colour registration and dual celebrity-plus-artist signatures makes it the anchor image collectors reference the rest of the series against.
Collector Perspective
At 36 x 48 inches this is a wall-dominating statement piece; framing cost and display space should factor into acquisition. The five-colour process gives it more visual weight than the one-colour portraits, and the dynamic composition tends to make it the most sought impression of the set. Verify both signatures and the verso thumbprint.
Historical Context
The bicycle kick is inseparable from Pele's legend, and Mr. Brainwash built the series' flagship around it. Produced during the artist's mid-2010s run of large-scale celebrity editions, it captures a specific moment of direct collaboration with a living sports icon, something Pele's 2022 passing has rendered permanently finite.
FAQ
Why is this the standout of the Pele series?
It is the largest at 36 x 48 inches, uses five colours rather than one, and depicts the bicycle kick, the most recognisable image associated with Pele.
Is it hand-finished?
Yes. The five-colour screenprint was hand-finished by Mr. Brainwash, and each impression is dual-signed and thumb-printed.
How many were made?
The edition is 75.
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.