Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Faile Stages
Summary
FAILE Stages is a 2017 silkscreen on paper measuring 45.5 x 63 cm, issued in an edition of 120 plus 20 artist's proofs. Each impression is signed and numbered. Produced in connection with the studio's Stages body of work, it is a standard editioned screen print rather than a hand-finished varied piece.
Why It Matters
FAILE Stages ties to the studio's Stages exhibition and Fragments-related imagery, and its modest edition of 120 plus 20 AP makes it a relatively contained release. As a signed and numbered silkscreen, it offers consistent impressions and a clear authentication set, appealing to collectors seeking documented editioned work.
Collector Perspective
The combined edition of 120 plus 20 artist's proofs is small for a straight screen print, giving FAILE Stages reasonable scarcity. Collectors should confirm the signature and numbering, and note whether an example is a numbered edition impression or one of the 20 AP, as proofs are sometimes distinguished on the secondary market.
Historical Context
The bilingual German and English documentation points to a European exhibition context, consistent with FAILE's international gallery presence. The Stages series reflects the duo's later, more abstract and fragmentary figurative direction that they developed through the mid-to-late 2010s.
FAQ
What is the edition size?
120 numbered impressions plus 20 artist's proofs, each signed and numbered.
Is this hand-finished?
No. It is a straight silkscreen edition, so impressions are consistent rather than individually varied.
What is an artist's proof?
An AP is an impression outside the main numbered run, typically retained by the artist and sometimes distinguished from edition impressions.
What does the Stages title refer to?
It relates to FAILE's Stages body of work and their later fragmentary figurative direction.
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.