Why investing in art by Mr. Brainwash is a smart move

Mr. Brainwash art is a hot commodity, and because of his ongoing successful impact in the art world, we believe he is an excellent investment name to get behind.

The French-born, LA-based street artist is otherwise known as Thierry Guetta. He features in Banksy’s 2010 Oscar-nominated documentary film Exit Through the Gift Shop, and has collaborated with major brands including Coca-Cola, Nike and Mercedes-Benz. He has even designed album artwork for pop icon Madonna and US rapper Rick Ross.

His commemorative 9/11 mural even decorates a Century 21 wall facing the Freedom Tower in New York, and Century 21 co-owner Isaac Gindi claims that Mr. Brainwash is set to be “the Mozart of our century.”

Reimagining pop art

“Mr. Brainwash was invented around the early ‘90s,” Guetta explained in an interview with Paper magazine.

“When you watch TV, when you buy clothes, when you come to a bar or a club or when you do anything, how do you get there? Everything’s brainwashing, and I used to take any kind of brand and twist it.”

“I would take Nike, and I’d make the logo exactly the same, but with an arrow, and I’d write under it, “Just did it.” Instead of Kids ‘R’ Us, I’d put Boys Are Nuts.”

Guetta layers screen-printed and stencilled images, and combines past and present pop culture icons such as Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, Kate Moss and Madonna.

Mr. Brainwash and Banksy

Some years ago, Guetta attempted to make a documentary from thousands of hours of footage of the street art scene. Banksy ended up going through the footage to create his own film, which focused on Guetta as the star.

Endorsed by Banksy and fellow renowned street artist Shepard Fairey (who also features extensively in Exit Through the Gift Shop) Guetta hosted his own art exhibition, which enjoyed massive success. Banksy’s team captured it all on film and the footage appears in the documentary’s final cut.

Banksy has a reputation for making bold statements with his art, and likewise Mr. Brainwash creates works which bend the rules of the street art scene.

Breaking the rules

Mr. Brainwash art experienced an unconventionally fast path to commercial success. The artist’s first big foray into the commercial art world — his ‘Life Is Beautiful’ exhibition in Los Angeles in 2008 — netted him an estimated six-figure sum.

Banksy himself admitted that Guetta didn’t conform to accepted street art conventions or wat of moving up the ranks, but pointed out, “there aren’t supposed to be any rules”.

“I didn’t know that there were rules in art,” Guetta argues. “Who makes the rules? What is the rules? What are the rules in life?”

“Art is a freedom of expression. Who can explain that? Who says this is more artistic than that? Street art doesn’t mean you have to be on the street. Who says that? Who says that a portrait has to be inside and street art has to be outside?”

“I’m just following my heart. I even sign my name with a little heart. I’m not here to judge myself, or to judge anybody. What I want to do is to give love, and bring positive messages.”

Invest in Mr. Brainwash at Maddox Gallery

In line with this sentiment, all Mr. Brainwash art comes with a unique and uplifting message. On every artwork, Guetta uses a special signature and authentication — the mantra “Life is beautiful,” his thumbprint, signature, and an assigned dollar bill number sequence.

If you’re intrigued by his works and would like the opportunity to make the smart move to invest in Mr Brainwash, then do please call us and pay us a visit at Maddox Gallery, based in the heart of Mayfair. We have works by a number of well-known street artists, including Mr Brainwash, Bradley Theodore, Banksy and Retna.

Written by James Nicholls, Managing Director and Curator, Maddox Gallery.