Cast resin sculpture in a limited edition of 100. 15x23x4cm.
Under the artistic pseudonym of Mr. Brainwash lies the identity of Thierry Guetta, born in France in 1966. Thanks to a childhood as a videomaker and the support of his cousin, established street-artist with the name Invader, his interest in street art blossoms and he meets Banksy: Mr. Brainwash thus takes his first steps into the controversial world of Street-Art.
The artist became famous worldwide for being the star of Banksy’s 2010 documentary “Exit through the gift shop”. Thierry Guetta appropriates the main ingredients of street art, such as the stencil and the spray can with which he creates colourful artworks full of references to Pop and Street Art masters such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Banksy himself.
The inscriptions are a fundamental element within the artworks by Mr. Brainwash, Life is Beautiful and Love is The Answer are a perfect example of this. The first one is also the title of his first exhibition held in 2008 in Los Angeles in an abandoned warehouse, which, beyond expectations, was a great success, rewarding the artist’s efforts with over $1 million from the sale of the works.
Following his great success in 2009, Mr. Brainwash, artist who often collaborated with brands and celebrities, put his unique style at the service of music, creating covers album for artists like Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The street-artist has also managed to bring contemporary art to the Vatican. The image of Mr. Brainwash together Pope Francis has travelled around the world: the artist and the Pope have joined forces to create a work of art that would make the population aware of issues such as charity and immigration.
In Italy he lands in 2019 with “Milan is Beautiful“, the first Italian exhibition opened at the Deodato Art Gallery in Milan, with artworks completely dedicated to Italy. The success of the exhibition allowed Mr. Brainwash to get in touch with the Italian star system and to collaborate with VIPs and important public figures.
At present, the date has not yet been set, but Mr. Brainwash’s dream is coming true: a pop-up “personal museum” will open its doors in the former Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles in Beverly Hills. In this museum the artist will initially display only his artworks, but will then accompany this section with solo or group exhibitions of his most esteemed artists (including Banksy). The logic that will guide the museum will be that of inclusion: to give institutional space to Street Art and allow free admission to at least some of the projects and exhibitions that will be held.
