ENGLISH TEST

DATE :

NAME:

FORM :

MARK : / 20

COMMENTS:

YOUR WRITING TASK :

Study and analyse Mr. Brainwash’s street mural . Comment on the artist ’s techniques , the colours he

used (what they may symbolise) , his sources of inspiration , his main themes, his aim , the message he

may have wanted to convey . Give your personal opinion on this artwork. Relate it to one of the 4 notions

and justify your choices.

Use the background information below. (300 words)

Relative clauses

Make assumptions modal verbs/forms/adverbs

Passive Forms

Mr. Brainwash , Charlie Chaplin Madonna Street Mural , on La Brea Boulevard , at the studio of the artist in Los Angeles . / the mural was put up for the Icons Remix Exhibition in New York City

His favourite quote : “ Art doesn’t have any way. Art is freedom and you can do it any way you want ”.

Controversial contemporary artist /one of the most

commercially successful street artists alive

Mr . Brainwash ( MBW) = a pseudonym for

Thierry Guetta

Born : 1966 / Garges-les-Gonesse, France /family moved to Los

Angeles after his mother’s death /at age 15

Nationality : a French-born Los Angeles -based artist

Career :

- a used clothing store owner

- Videographer

- film director

- printmaker

- street pop artist & gallery artist

Movement : Pop art

Inspiration : his artworks strongly emulate the styles and

concepts of Banksy / Andy Warhol /Keith Haring

favourite technique : the use of layers of screen print and

stenciled images / paste-up technique

Famous Art exhibitions :

- First exhibit in Los Angeles on June 18, 2008 / “Life is

Beautiful”

- His New York City solo debut on Feb 14, in 2010 / “ICONS” .The

show featured paintings and silk screens of world icons, portraits

of music legends constructed of broken records and large-scale

sculptural installations such as a giant boom box and a NYC cab

in a life-sized Matchbox packaging.

- Due to its overwhelming success, the show was extended until the

end of September 2010 under the name ICONS REMIX.

Anecdote = an elaborate prank staged by Banksy = a fake artist

/ urban’s artist Banksy’s protégé

His story is told through Banksy's 2010 film, Exit Through the

Gift Shop.

Brainwash ‘s trademark positive message = “Life is beautiful” /

he tags the back of his works with these words

- a pot of paint / a paint roller - to tear up / to rip up déchirer

- To splash éclabousser - To be covered with graffiti