Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
Torn Spray Can
Summary
A 2020 six-color screenprint at 30 x 22 inches, hand-torn, signed, and numbered with a thumbprint on the back, sold as a set of three. The spray-can subject directly references graffiti's core tool, and with a stated edition of 150 across the set, it is one of the more available yet materially involved releases from the year.
Why It Matters
The spray can is the defining instrument of graffiti, making this among Mr Brainwash's most explicitly street-rooted editions. The six-color build and hand-torn, thumb-printed finish reflect real studio labor, and the set-of-three format offers collectors a coordinated grouping rather than a single image.
Collector Perspective
The graffiti subject appeals to collectors focused on the street-art canon and the artist's origins. Sold as a trio, the set is designed to hang together, so buyers should confirm all three sheets are present and matched. Back-side thumbprint and numbering are the authentication points to verify, and the larger run makes it more attainable than his tightest editions.
Historical Context
The aerosol can is inseparable from graffiti history, the literal tool of the movement Mr Brainwash emerged alongside. Depicting it as a torn, editioned print folds street iconography back into the gallery, echoing the sanctioned-versus-raw tension that has driven street art's ascent into collectible fine art.
FAQ
Is this sold individually?
It is offered as a set of three coordinated screenprints.
How is it authenticated?
Each sheet is hand-torn, signed, and numbered with a thumbprint on the back.
What is the edition size?
A stated edition of 150 across the set.
How many colors?
Six colors, screenprinted.
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.