Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Boombox Illusions (First Edition)
Summary
Boombox Illusions is a 2018 offset lithograph in a 5-color offset build on 215gsm gloss paper at 27 x 34 inches, issued as an unnumbered edition. It is signed FAILE / Owerko and carries a Mix Tape stamp, marking a collaboration with photographer Lyle Owerko, known for his boombox imagery.
Why It Matters
The FAILE / Owerko dual signature makes Boombox Illusions a documented collaboration between the studio and photographer Lyle Owerko, whose iconic boombox photography informs the imagery. As an offset lithograph rather than a screen print, it represents a more accessible, poster-oriented format within FAILE's output.
Collector Perspective
At a $95 release, Boombox Illusions is one of the most affordable FAILE-associated works, appealing to collectors of the Owerko collaboration and boombox culture. Being unnumbered, the value anchors are the FAILE / Owerko signature and the Mix Tape stamp, so confirming both markers is essential.
Historical Context
Lyle Owerko's boombox photography documents hip-hop and street culture of the 1980s, a subject that dovetails with FAILE's own street-art and pop lineage. The collaboration situates this print within the intersection of music, photography, and graffiti-era nostalgia that both artists engage.
FAQ
Who is the collaborator?
Photographer Lyle Owerko, known for his boombox imagery, co-signs the print as FAILE / Owerko.
Is the print numbered?
No, it is an unnumbered offset edition; the FAILE / Owerko signature and Mix Tape stamp are the key authentication markers.
What printing process is used?
A 5-color offset lithograph on 215gsm gloss paper, a poster-style format distinct from FAILE's silkscreen editions.
What is the Mix Tape stamp?
A stamp applied to the print tying it to the boombox and cassette-culture theme of the Owerko collaboration.
About the Artist
FAILE is a Brooklyn-based artistic collaboration founded in 1999 by Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller. Known for a distinctive collage aesthetic that blends comic-book imagery, pulp advertising, religious iconography, and street-poster typography, FAILE built its reputation through wheat-pasted works and stencils in cities worldwide. The duo is celebrated for reviving printmaking and woodblock techniques, and for immersive installations such as their prayer-wheel and temple environments. Their work has been exhibited internationally, including projects with the New York City Ballet, bridging street practice and fine-art institutions.
Collecting Faile at Gauntlet Gallery
Which FAILE works are best to collect?
FAILE's signed, numbered silkscreen editions and their hand-finished wood and mixed-media pieces are the core of the market. Screenprints from their studio releases offer an accessible entry, while unique wooden "blocks" and painted works sit at the higher end. Gauntlet Gallery focuses on complete, well-preserved impressions with strong color registration.
How is a FAILE piece authenticated?
We sell FAILE works with documented studio provenance, backed by the edition's signature and numbering. Every piece is photographed as-is, including the signature, edition number, and any studio markings, so you can confirm details before purchase.
What makes one FAILE piece worth more?
Edition size, medium (unique wood pieces over open prints), iconic imagery, condition, and provenance from a known release all drive value. Hand-embellished and one-of-a-kind works consistently outperform standard editioned prints.