Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Bret The Hitman
Summary
Bret The Hitman is a 2007 Faile acrylic and silkscreen work on paper at 20 x 15 inches, with a First Edition of 11. Per Faile's own note, the total run was structured across four editions (11, 10, 10, and 9) for a combined 50 impressions, referencing wrestling icon Bret "The Hitman" Hart within the collective's pop-culture visual vocabulary.
Why It Matters
Bret The Hitman draws on professional-wrestling iconography, an unexpected subject that fits Faile's magpie appropriation of Americana and pop culture. The tiered edition structure — four sequential editions totaling 50 — is documented candidly by Faile, including their acknowledgment that the numbering was slightly off, adding a human dimension to the release.
Collector Perspective
The First Edition of 11 is the earliest and smallest of the four sub-editions, which collectors may value for its priority within the 50-piece total. The compact 20 x 15 inch format and the wrestling subject give it niche appeal. Because Faile noted numbering irregularities, verifying which edition a given sheet belongs to matters in assessment.
Historical Context
Faile's engagement with wrestling and Americana reflects the collective's embrace of vernacular pop culture alongside pulp romance and religious iconography. The candid production note about staggered editions and imperfect numbering captures the informal, artist-run character of Faile's 2007 print releases.
FAQ
How many were made in total?
Faile structured the run across four editions — 11, then 10, 10, and 9 — for a combined total of 50 impressions. This is the First Edition of 11.
Who is Bret The Hitman?
The title references Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a professional wrestling icon, folded into Faile's pop-culture and Americana imagery.
What are the dimensions?
The print measures 20 x 15 inches, in acrylic and silkscreen on paper, dated 2007.
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.