Mr Brainwash | Art Collection
Artist Genre
Mr Brainwash is a French street artist who rose to fame through his collaboration with Banksy in the 2010 Academy-nominated documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. He was featured in and responsible for the filming of the project.
Style of Art
Often juxtaposing cultural and contemporary icons and taking heavy influence from the pop-cultural greats artists such as Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. Using and reusing popular imagery and themes borrowed from other famous artists, such as Jeff Koon’s steel balloon animals and Banksy’s ‘Throwing Man’, Mr Brainwash aligns his artistic intentions with those of the original pop art scene, creating art for everybody that can be experienced anywhere.
Investment Information
Currently one of the most sought after artists on the global pop art scene and his collectors are constantly growing, including names such as Madonna and the Biebers.
Achievements
Has been placed on the elite list of the world’s top artists based on auction sales of nearly $2.5million and his meteoric rise has been the largest ever seen in the Art Market.
His debut exhibition Life is Beautiful (2008) had sales of five figures for single works and received praise from British street artist Banksy. The following year, Madonna commissioned Mr. Brainwash to design the cover for her album Celebration. His major auction debut occurred at Philips in 2010 where Charlie Chaplin Pink sold for $122,500, from an upper estimate of $70,000.
Early Life and Career
Born Thierry Guetta in 1966 in Garges-lès-Gonesse, France, Mr Brainwash was raised in a family of immigrants. His parents owned a grocery store, and he spent much of his childhood helping out in the shop. However, his true passion was always art. As a teenager, he would spend hours creating graffiti and stencils on the streets of Paris.
In the late 1990s, Mr Brainwash moved to Los Angeles and began documenting the work of street artists, including the infamous Banksy. He soon became known as a videographer and street art documentarian, but his true desire was to become an artist himself.
Rise to Fame
In 2008, Mr Brainwash held his first solo exhibition, "Life is Beautiful," in Los Angeles. The show was a huge success, with over 50,000 people attending and his work selling for thousands of dollars. This catapulted him into the spotlight and he quickly gained a following among art collectors and celebrities.
His work is heavily influenced by pop art and often features iconic figures such as Marilyn Monroe and Mickey Mouse. He also incorporates elements of street art, using stencils and spray paint to create his pieces. His style is bold and vibrant, with a touch of satire and humour.
Legacy and Impact
Mr Brainwash's impact on the art world is undeniable. He has brought street art into the mainstream and challenged traditional notions of what constitutes "fine art." His work is often described as a commentary on consumerism and the cult of celebrity, and his use of popular culture has made his pieces accessible to a wide audience.
In conclusion, Mr Brainwash remains an enigma in the art world. Despite his success and fame, he continues to shroud himself in mystery, rarely giving interviews or revealing much about his personal life. But one thing is for sure, his unique blend of street art and pop culture has left a lasting impression on the art world and will continue to do so for years to come.