As the Wall Street Journal delves into the mystery of artist Mr. Brainwash upon the opening of his lavish show here in NYC—others who are less confused (and less amused) by the artist are using this time to sit back and say "meh." But for those who are intrigued, here's what we (think we) know.
Mr. Brainwash isn't Banksy. He does, however, display works that bear more than a passing resemblance to Banksy's stuff. And he is the subject of the Exit Through the Gift Shop, a much buzzed about documentary at Sundance this year that was directed by Banksy. They are, allegedly, friends. Mr. B is also the cousin of French street artist Space Invader; but it's believed that Banksy is the one who got him into street art. How does he have all the money to create life-sized NYC taxi cab Matchbox cars? Well, Banksy could be helping to fund him... and then there are his wealthy parents who've made him independently wealthy. Don't you just hate this guy?
NY gallery owner Jonathan Levine isn't a fan; he says his work is "all completely derivative of Shepard [Fairey] and Banksy." But if he's really just a rich schlock artist copping on already successful street artists' styles, why are his main "muses," Banksy and Fairey, helping to put him in the spotlight? The WSJ says Fairey "has mixed feelings about Mr. Brainwash's artwork but calls Mr. Brainwash a friend. 'Mystery is always interesting,' he says of the artist. 'But he is 100% sincere.'" So maybe this Frenchman is just a vessel for a collaborative work of art between Shepard and Fairey? Someone, quick, fetch us our decoder ring!
