A Night in the Museum -
I imagine most people out there have heard of Mr. Brainwash but perhaps you haven’t. For those who do not know Mr. Brainwash he is a French-born Los Angeles–based street artist. Thrust into global fame through the 2010 Banksy-directed film Exit Through the Gift Shop. His real name is Thierry Guetta and he once owned a vintage clothing store. He was an amateur videographer who was first introduced to street art by his cousin, the street artist Invader. He filmed street artists through the 2000s and became an artist in his own right in a matter of weeks after an off-hand suggestion from Banksy.
“What I love about Thierry is that he is not afraid to dream big and do bigger”.
- Johnny Blanco
Mr. Brainwash's first solo show, Life Is Beautiful, opened in the summer of 2008. Using a former T.V. studio in Hollywood the show garnered the cover of LA Weekly. Life Is Beautiful attracted thousands of people who lined the streets for blocks. Featuring a 20 foot robot, a pyramid made of 20,000 books and a life-size recreation of Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks," Life Is Beautiful's exhibition time extended to three months, attracting over 50,000 visitors.
"Always Believe that Something Beautiful is About to Happen"
- Mr. Brainwash
In 2010 “Exit Through the Gift Shop” was released and the curtain was pulled back revealing the beautiful world of Street Art. Featuring artists like Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader and Thierry Guetta. With the success came controversy, there has been extensive debate over whether the film is a genuine documentary or a mockumentary. When asked if the film was real, Banksy simply replied, "Yes."
“Exit Though the Gift Shop Helped transition the world of graffiti from a criminal act to an artistic endeavor. It is between these fine lines that I like to operate.”
- Johnny Blanco
"I spent a year watching footage of sweaty vandals falling off ladders","The film (Exit Through the Gift Shop) was made by a very small team. It would have been even smaller if the editors didn't keep having mental breakdowns”
- Banksy
Mr Brainwash is most famously known for his phrase, Life is Beautiful. You will find it in many of his works adorning the background, the centerpiece and later including sculptures both large and small. In my dealing with Mr Brainwash this is who he is. He looks at life with the excitement of a child, looking for the possibilities of what could be, all while appreciating the beauty of what is.
His “Tomato Spray” prints and later his “Brainwash Classic Spray” cans touch on his ability to blend two worlds and create an image that grabs your attention. Graffiti Art meets Pop Art. A twist on Andy Warhols “Campbell’s Soup” series with a Street Art vibe. This piece really touched me. It made me feel accepted. After all my art was born of the same premise.
On the top of my wishlist you will find “Reborn” by Mr. Brainwash. A 22”x 22” nine color screenprint on deckled edge archival art paper and printed with invisible ink. I plan one day to have this piece gracing my wall.
After years of success with Gallery shows Mr. Brainwash found a more permanent home in Beverly Hills. The Mr Brainwash Art Museum proudly opened its doors to the public on December 18, 2022. The museum is housed in a unique three-story building designed by renowned architect Richard Meier.
Think of this Museum as an interactive, all-ages art playground unlike any other. The Mr Brainwash Art Museum serves as a joyful reminder of the artist’s personal mantra:
“Life Is Beautiful”
“Art cannot be criticized because every mistake is a new creation.”
- Mr. Brainwash
Similar to his 2018 New York City pop-up exhibit which included paintings, sculptures and multi-media displays “brainwashed” with his signature uplifting commentary, historical imagery, and a cornucopia of color.
This current pop-up exhibit in the old Paley Center of Media building is located at 465 North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills. It is a must-see attraction for locals and tourists alike, whether already in love with the city or curious as to what the hype is all about. Mr. Brainwash loves to remind viewers that life is beautiful even during unpredictable times.
It’s addicting being around Thierry Guetta, his positive spirit and excitement for life, lifts you up.”
- Johnny Blanco
Most recently I was honored to be part of his takeover of the Petersen Museum’s Armand Hammer Foundation Gallery. With the exhibit “Cars are Beautiful” Mr Brainwash celebrates the automobile as a populist icon of American life and an inspirational machine that can spark imagination and joy. The immersive installation is a feast for the eyes (hands and soul) that features paintings and sculptures in a whimsical array resulting in a unique and engaging experience. You can feel his childhood love and excitement for the automobile referencing “the play” aspect in every form. This exhibit will run through 2026.
A sign on the Petersen Museum wall reads;
Cars are Beautiful
Mr. Brainwash
@ the Petersen
Mr Brainwash-the moniker of French-born, Los Angeles-based artist Thierry Guetta (b. 1966) -has been active in various art scenes for over two decades, His irreverent style incorporates printmaking, stenciling, painting, and sculpture. His first solo exhibition, Life is Beautiful, opened in Hollywood in 2008 and was a runaway success, and the Banksy-directed documentary about his rise to fame, Exit Through the Gift Shop
(2010), was nominated for an Academy Award. In 2022 Mr Brainwash opened his own art museum in Beverly Hills to share his whimsical work with the public. His art is playful and frequently conveys a sense of humor.
Continuing Mr Brainwash's tradition of transforming everyday objects into extraordinary pieces of art, Cars Are Beautiful reimagines the automobile as not just a mode of transportation but a symbol of nostalgia and wonder. With his signature style, he transfigures this often-mundane object into larger-than-life creations that highlight its personal and cultural significance.
Whether you're a car enthusiast, an art lover, or someone simply looking for inspiration, Mr Brainwash invites you to "put your worries in the rearview and immerse yourself in this extraordinary fusion of art and automobiles. Keep smiling. Life is beautiful."
It isn’t to surprising that Guetta would choose to join forces with the Petersen in this way. The automobile has had a constant presence in his work. He recently unveiled a Bentley Bentayga at London’s Clarendon Fine Art that he had transformed into an art piece featuring famous faces, monkeys, and Renaissance paintings and his signature ‘Life is Beautiful’ slogan painted in neon pink on its tailgate. In 2023, he created and installed a full-scale sculpture of a 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 inside a Matchbox toy packaging as part of the Petersen’s “We are Porsche” exhibit, and, when opening his own museum in 2022, stacked a red Ferrari 250 GTO, a silver Mercedes 300 SLR, and a green Porsche 911 Carrera RS on its exterior. He also displayed a life-sized race car sculpture in the super-VIP Bellagio Fountain Club during this year’s Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix.
His love and use of vehicles in art has an easy explanation. “A car takes you on the road, on an adventure,” he says. “It takes you from A to B. It’s your future; it can take you to the next step of your life. You can walk through life, but not for so long, and not that fast, so the idea of the auto is a little bit magic to me. I’m not a crazy car guy or anything, but I think that cars, like everything else, are beautiful.”
“There is one truth I always walk away from Thierry with. Life is Beautiful”.
- Johnny Blanco
Mr. Brainwash
You can help support amfAR by clicking the link below.
Mr Brainwash has been a devoted supporter of amfAR, one of the main organization dedicated to the eradication of HIV/AIDS, playing a huge part in funding research and achieving breakthroughs regarding the pandemic.
All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names,trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement. Thank you for looking, Johnny Blanco
Comments