Mr. Brainwash, a France-born, Los Angeles-based artist and videographer whose trademark is combining street- and pop-art sensibilities, has created album covers for the likes of Madonna, KYGO and Rick Ross. Many people have seen his work, without knowing it, in films and TV shows — “The Kard ashians,” “Billions,” “Molly’s Game” and “Shameless.” Still, others have seen his hand in projects with Coca-Cola, the late Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee and world-known soccer player Pelé. Park City will get a chance to meet the man face-to-face between 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, when he opens a new exhibit at Park City Fine Art, 558 Main St. “The exhibit is fittingly titled “Park City Is Beautiful” and comes with an air of intrigue, due to Mr. Brainwash’s appearance in fellow street-artist Banksy’s documentary, “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” which premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. It was during that film that Banksy’s graffiti began appearing around town — on the side of Java Cow, 502 Main St., and outside the stage door of the Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main St. Another work also appeared at 537 Main St. “(Mr. Brainwash’s) career took off the year Banksy tagged Park City, and introduced Brainwash in his documentary that was in the Sundance Film Festival,” said Colby Larsen, Park City Fine Art owner. Mr. Brainwash, born Thierry Guetta, concurs. “That film changed my life overnight, but it also reminded me that the real journey begins after the spotlight,” Mr. Brainwash said during an email interview with The Park Record. “Suddenly the world was watching, and I wanted to prove, especially to myself, that this was only the beginning. It taught me to embrace the unexpected because sometimes the most beautiful moments are the ones you never plan.” Throughout his career, Mr. Brainwash, whose son is also an artist, known as Hijack, and whose cousin is French street artist Invader, has also seen the importance of using his status as a world-renowned artist to give back to the community. He donates his art to benefit the Los Angeles LGBT Center and works with Product RED to raise AIDS awareness.  In addition to creating commemorative 9/11 murals, Mr. Brainwash champions the Prince’s Trust, which supports vulnerable youth, and donates to former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let Girls Learn, a nonprofit that assists adolescent girls in attending and completing school. Four years ago, Mr. Brainwash founded the Mr. Brainwash Art Museum, which features the permanent exhibit, “Enter Through the Museum.” It’s the first Contemporary Art Museum in the world created and run by a living artist. Below is the rest of the email interview Mr. Brainwash did with The Park Record. Park Record: Park City Fine Art will host you and open your exhibit, “Park City Is Beautiful,” on Feb. 26. What does it mean to you as an artist to showcase your work here and meet your admirers and clients? Mr. Brainwash: Park City is a place where nature reminds you how beautiful the world can be. The light, the mountains, the sense of freedom, it all invites you to dream. Bringing “Park City Is Beautiful” here feels like a celebration of that spirit. For me, the greatest reward is meeting the people who connect with the work. Art is not meant to just hang on a wall; it is meant to make you feel alive. When someone smiles, pauses or sees a little more possibility in life, that is the real masterpiece. Every city has its own heartbeat, and here it whispers something very simple but very powerful: Life is Beautiful. Street- and pop-art icon Mr. Brainwash will open a new exhibit, “Park City Is Beautiful,” Feb. 26 at Park City Fine Art. The artist, who was featured in Banksy’s 2010 Sundance Film Festival documentary, “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” has created album covers for the likes of Madonna, KYGO and Rick Ross, and founded the Mr. Brainwash Art Museum, which features the permanent exhibit, “Enter Through the Museum.” Credit: Photo courtesy of It's a Wonderful World Inc. P.R.: Many consider you one of the pioneers of street and pop art. Did you ever think your early work would blossom into such a career? M.B.: Never. I was simply following my passion. I didn’t choose art; art chose me. What began as curiosity quickly became an obsession, and that obsession became my life. Even today, I try to create with the same excitement I felt in the early days, like discovering color for the very first time. P.R.: Does the “pioneer” moniker weigh on you in terms of expectations? M.B.: I try not to create for expectations because the moment you do, you lose the freedom that makes art powerful. If being called a pioneer means I helped open doors for others, that makes me happy. What keeps me inspired is the possibility to evolve, to surprise people and to surprise myself. P.R.: There are many misconceptions about street art and pop art. How has your work helped people better understand these aesthetics? M.B.: Both movements have always been about connection. Street art brings creativity to everyone, while pop art finds beauty in the everyday. My goal has always been to make art feel welcoming, never intimidating. You don’t need to analyze art, you just need to feel it. If someone smiles when they see my work, then I know it’s doing its job. P.R.: What inspired you to start creating visual art? M.B.: Curiosity. I was fascinated by the idea that a simple image could speak a universal language and create emotion without words. Very early on, I realized art could connect people from everywhere, and I wanted to be part of that conversation. P.R.: What inspires you to continue creating today? M.B.: People inspire me. Music, cities, my children and the energy of the world around us all fuel my creativity. But more than anything, hope inspires me. If my work brings even a moment of joy or optimism, then it has meaning. P.R.: When you begin a work, do you have a clear picture of what it will become? Does it change during the process? M.B.: I usually begin with a feeling rather than a fixed image. Creating is a conversation, the canvas guides you, accidents happen and you must be open to them. Some of my favorite works were never planned. P.R.: How do you know when a work is done? M.B.: There is a moment when everything feels in harmony. Sometimes the piece tells you very clearly to stop; other times you have to step away and return with fresh eyes. You don’t just see it, you feel it. P.R.: How do you decide a work is worthy of carrying your name? M.B.: If it doesn’t move me, it doesn’t leave the studio. My signature is a promise that the piece carries honesty, energy and heart. I don’t look for perfection, I look for authenticity. At the end of the day, I want every work to remind someone that life is beautiful and anything is possible. Mr. Brainwash Artist Reception When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 Where: Park City Fine Art, 558 Main St. Web: parkcityfineart.com and mrbrainwash.com The post Mr. Brainwash thinks ‘Park City Is Beautiful’ with new exhibit appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less