Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Captivating (Signed)
Summary
"Captivating" is a 2003 Faile screen print issued at 71 x 51 cm in an edition of 750, with impressions numbered 1-100 hand-signed by the artist. The image leans on knowing self-reference, carrying the word "captivating" in inch-high black lettering across a haunting central figure, a hallmark of the Brooklyn collective's early pulp-poster language.
Why It Matters
This print dates to 2003, the formative window when Faile was refining its cut-and-paste, text-over-image signature. The self-describing caption, art that literally announces its own effect, is a playful nod to advertising and pulp romance. As a signed impression from the first hundred, it sits in the more sought-after tier of an already modest edition.
Collector Perspective
Collectors distinguish sharply between the signed 1-100 impressions and the unsigned balance of the 750-run edition. This example belongs to the signed tier, the smaller and generally more desirable subset. Condition matters given the large paper format: examine edges, corners, and any handling marks, and confirm the pencil number falls within the 1-100 signed range.
Historical Context
Faile, the Brooklyn-based collective formed around 2003, emerged from street-poster culture into gallery editions during this exact period. Their early prints repurpose comic, romance, and advertising imagery through layered screen printing. "Captivating" reflects that origin, borrowing the seductive vocabulary of mass media while turning it back on the viewer with self-aware wit.
FAQ
What is the edition size for Captivating?
The total edition is 750, with impressions numbered 1-100 hand-signed by the artist. This example is a signed impression from that smaller subset.
How large is the print?
It measures 71 x 51 cm, a substantial poster-scale screen print typical of Faile's early editions.
What year was it made?
It was produced in 2003, during the formative period of Faile's move from street posters into gallery editions.
Why does the word 'captivating' appear on the image?
The self-describing caption is a deliberate, playful nod to advertising and pulp romance, a recurring device in Faile's text-over-image work.
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.