Pop Art Icon Mr. Brainwash has always been a walking talking juxtaposition. His well-known collaborations with his mentor Banksy cast striking differences between the two while still maintaining a through-line which is both nostalgic and consistent. Taking the old and making it new is a hallmark for Mr. Brainwash’s work and his new museum in the heart of Beverly Hills illustrates this perfectly. The Mr. Brainwash Museum is a wholly immersive space teeming with individual artworks which combine unknown 19th and 20th Century portraits with recognizable elements from artist such as Picasso, Monet, Basquiat, Van Gogh and others. With artworks produced by the artist from 1990 to the present, with new pieces every day, it covers a broad gamut of his artistic and creative output. Set pieces, including a replica of Van Gogh’s Bedroom In Arles and Edward Hopper’s “Automat” allow viewers to literally become part of the art itself.
Instagrammable moments run throughout the museum for our culture obsessed with oversharing. Everything seems photo worthy. Oversized sculptural elements abound: Matchbox cars, paper airplanes, dinosaurs made of books, and colossal paintings of late California icons such as Tupac Shakur. Take a stroll down Abbey Road? Sure! Smoke a fake cigarette in front of a fake 7-11? You got it! Everything with Mr. Brainwash seems a bit bigger, bolder and more colorful than we are accustomed to.
On a rainy L.A day, just prior to the New Year, we had a private tour of the museum which was closed to the public. We meandered through Star Wars themed rooms and in a funhouse inspired corridor, Mr. Brainwash himself ran in and greeted us, charming our 8-year-old who has grown up in a home adorned with dozens of paintings from the artist. So, while we have the chance, we are grateful to have been able to take a walk back in time and several steps into the future with Mr. Brainwash.
Many works shown are available for purchase. Please DM for details.
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